26-04-2025
Volunteers help save historic Tintern church from demolition
Around 35 people from National Landscapes recently helped clear the churchyard of St Mary's Church in Tintern, as part of a campaign by locals to restore the site.
The ancient church has faced deterioration since being deconsecrated in the early 1970s and severely damaged by a fire in 1977, which gutted the roof and windows.
Despite this, its picturesque location above Tintern Abbey makes it a cherished spot for walkers and visitors.
A funding page has been set up for donations, and the Lower Wye Valley Buildings Preservation Trust (LWVBPT) is applying for grants.
The plan is to maintain the church as a 'historic ruin,' similar to St James' Church across the river at Lancaut, and to transform the graveyard into a wildflower meadow.
The LWVBPT hopes the church will become a tranquil space for 'quiet contemplation,' welcoming people of all faiths and none.
The trust has invited more volunteers to join future clean-up activities during the summer.
The next sessions are planned for Saturday, May 17, and a full-day event with the Gwent Wildlife Trust on June 3.
Supporters are advised to bring their own clippers.
To boost fundraising efforts, a series of talks are scheduled for the summer and autumn, featuring well-known names such as Magnum photographer David Hurn and historian Tim Ryan.
Mr Hurn will be discussing his career journey from Wales to Hollywood, while Mr Ryan will deliver a talk titled 'Rescuing a Princess,' focusing on the history of the last Severn Ferry.
The campaign to save St Mary's Church aims to preserve its historical and cultural significance while making it accessible to future generations.
The trust is eager to see more people joining their efforts to save this historic site.
