Message from Mr David Harry, Sub Warden, St John’s Church, Penmaen

In 2019 we engaged building surveyor and Historic Building consultant Carl Morgan of Llandeilo, to draw up plans to address the West end dampness and to bring the electrical installation up to present day regulatory standards.

Along with detailed plans and a Works Schedule, Carl prepared and submitted a Faculty application to cover all the proposed works. The Facility application was successful which meant we had planning approval from the Church in Wales to continue with the required works.

This work involves taking out five rear pews, the flooring beneath them and wood panelling around the back of the church. Laying a new floor with a damp proof membrane and refitting the back wall pews and panelling. Chairs will replace the five pews lost, and the resulting space will give us the opportunity to use this rear area for hospitality for any events in the church, and as a place to advertise to visitors all the local attractions and display holiday literature.

With respect to the electrical work, a number of unsafe under pew heaters will be replaced and two new convector heaters mounted under the rear pews. The lighting system will be upgraded with energy efficient lights, a number of which will be controlled by movement sensors, enabling summer visitors to see the internal beauty of the church when they enter.

The church is currently open during the summer months courtesy of Layton Jones and family who unlock it for us. We have a visitor book in the back of the church and it is encouraging to read the comments of people from all over the world who are grateful they can spend some quiet moments in such a beautiful old building.

There is the possibility that the church can host a concert as part of the Gower Music Festival next summer, another opportunity to welcome people to St John’s. I have also had a site meeting at St John’s with Ursula Jones and her colleague from Swansea City Council regarding an ecology scheme. Currently they are promoting schemes around Gower churches to encourage wild life and enhance habitat. I was particularly interested in our small woodland area now that it has been opened up after the removal of the diseased ash trees. I thought it would lend itself to nature trail for the public. They too saw the possibilities if a safe access and path were constructed allowing the public to enjoy the woodland area. They are currently drawing up plans for a fully funded ecology scheme for the church and grounds for us to consider.

So we are actively looking at ways to share with the community at large the many assets St John’s has to offer. What I would now like is for someone from Penmaen or the wider community, who has the enthusiasm to gather a group of like minded people, ‘ Friends of St John’s ‘, who would be prepared to promote St John’s. They would not need to have church connections, but an appreciation of a beautiful building and grounds which they could promote and perhaps find other uses which could go hand in hand with the main purpose of the building.

A little help with a few seasonal maintenance tasks would also be very welcome. Again thank you to the Community Council for their help. Please contact me David Harry, sub warden at [email protected], with any offers.