A Powys church has signed a contract to build disabled access to their building after a long campaign for the facilities.

On March 16, it was confirmed that St Myllin’s Church in Llanfyllin will be getting a revamp to improve access to the historic Powys church for wheelchair users, something the church’s friends group have been campaigning over for several years now.

Rev Hermione Morris signed the contract with Grosvenor Construction, the goal of a campaign that has been running for more than two and a half years, after it was confirmed that the Welsh Government would fund nearly half of the £53,000 cost of the project through its Community Facilities Programme.

Rev Morris said:” This is a great day for St Myllin’s. Many older and very young people have struggled for too long to attend events in the Church. We are grateful to everybody who has helped to make this long-held dream a reality.”

The work will provide new steps and handrails to the front door with ramp access for wheelchairs, prams and those who find steps difficult. Inside, some of the pews will be re-arranged to provide a comfortable space for wheelchairs and push chairs.

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These proposals were outlined by Friends of St Myllin’s in March 2023, when group chairman keith Blacker said: “At the moment, anyone in a wheelchair who arrives either has to get out or be lifted to enter the church, while people who have any kind of mobility issue or difficulty walking also face a challenge.

“As the church sits in the centre of the community, it’s not just communion and services that you feel this need for accessibility.

“Multiple community events are held there, it’s a wonderful venue for all sorts of things, from concerts to coffee mornings, and it would be really excellent if we could truly welcome everyone into it.”

The Welsh Government funding, together with grants from The Friends of St Myllin’s, The Church in Wales, Church Field Trust Buckley, The Benefact Trust, Llanfyllin Town Council and local donations, has enabled the Church to raise the necessary funds.

Work has now commenced on cutting the stone for the steps, with an aim to complete the project in time for the 2024 Llanfyllin Music Festival, starting on July 7.