Next weekend will be celebrated in Llangattock-Vibon-Avel: it is the 150th anniversary of the sumptuous refurbishment of St Cadoc’s Church by the Rolls family. The Church has recently been given a new lease of life thanks to the work of the charity Friends of Friendless Churches, local volunteer Kingsley Robinson and the organ charity Pipe Up! who have brought back to life the 1875 Vowles organ and Bruce May who has skilfully preserved the church’s magnificent stained-glass.

On Saturday 26 April, which also happens to be International Organ Day, between 9am and 5pm there will be tours by Kingsley of the organ work and the opportunity for visitors to listen to the organ and maybe play it too!

On the Sunday, 27 April, there will be a choral evensong at 3pm taken by Reverend Julie Barrell featuring the organ and the Llangattock Singers, followed by tea.

Back in 1875, the works had been undertaken by John Allan Rolls, later 1st Baron Llangattock and father of Charles Rolls of Rolls-Royce, in memory of his father who died in 1870. The re-opening of the church was marked by the Bishop of Llandaff accompanied by local dignitaries attending the tiny, beautiful church whilst, unusually for the time, “Mrs Rolls” of The Hendre meanwhile presided over the brand new organ. These events were covered by a long article at the time in the Beacon. The works were carried out by TH Wyatt and for £2,500.

As the journalist then wrote “It will be a lasting monument not only to his affection for his late lamented father but of his own public spirit and munificence.”

Do come along: more information can be found at the Friends of Friendless Churches Events page: https://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/event/150th-anniversary-celebrations-at-llangattock-vibon-avel/