A new group established to protect Llanfyllin's church has had its girst AGM.

The Friends of St Myllin’s Church rounded off the event with a fascinating talk by FOSM trustee and historian Richard Kretchmer about the beautiful 18th century gallery and its role in the church over the last 300 years.

The friends organisation has been very active in its first year with the launch coffee morning in April, providing catering at Bodfach Hall Open Garden in May, clearing the churchyard in June, contributing to St Myllin’s Christmas Tree Festival in November and the Christmas concert with the Guilsfield Singers in December.

The friends also had stands at St Myllin’s Day, the Llanfyllin Music Festival, the Llanfyllin Show and the Workhouse Open Doors Weekend.

The organisation now has an online presence with a web site and a Facebook page and it succeeded in gaining a lot of publicity in the local and regional press.

Keith Blacker, trustee and treasurer of FOSM, said: “Thank you to all the Friends who attended the AGM and have donated so generously since FOSM was started in April last year.

"We raised just over £5,600 last year to help the church maintain the beautiful building and churchyard of St Myllin’s.”

Cllr Simon Baynes, trustee of FOSM and Mayor of Llanfyllin, added: “We have had a busy and successful first year of the friends organisation and I would particularly like to thank my fellow trustees for their commitment to the church: Ruth Weston, Richard Kretchmer, Keith Blacker and John Eddy."

The activities already planned for this year are: April 6, Anniversary Coffee morning with musicians from Llanfyllin High School; June 1, Preparing the Churchyard for St Myllin’s Day; June 15, St Myllin’s Day Concert with Pen-y-bont Fawr Male Voice Choir; September 21, Preparing the Churchyard for winter.

Cllr Baynes added: "We will also continue to be present on St Myllin’s Day, at the Llanfyllin Music Festival and at other town events.”

Rev'd Hermione Morris, rector of St Myllin's Church, said: "Myself and the church committee at St Myllin's Church are very grateful for the work and support of the Friends, in helping us to maintain the church building and grounds, and we look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of both the congregation and the wider community."