35 volunteers turn out from National Landscapes to help clear the St Mary’s churchyard in Tintern of brambles, bracken and unwanted tree growth to save it from demolition.

This is part of an ongoing campaign by Tintern residents and other local volunteers to restore the overgrown churchyard and preserve this beautiful church as a historic ruin.

St Mary’s was deconsecrated in the early 1970s and sadly deteriorated after a fire in 1977 gutted the roof and windows. However it has remained a popular destination for walkers and other visitors to Tintern.

The plan, supported by local residents, is hopefully to consolidate the ruined church as it is, rather like St James’s Church over the river at Lancaut, which is also a popular destination for visitors. The historic churchyard, which is full of interesting and important graves, will become a wildflower meadow. Once consolidated, we hope that the church will be a space for quiet contemplation, open to all faiths and none.

The LWVBPT welcomes volunteers to come and help on further sessions over the summer. They have a Saturday morning cleaning on 17th May, and a full day with the Gwent Wildlife Trust on 3rd June. All welcome, bring clippers.

Talks to help with fundraising are being scheduled for the summer and autumn, including celebrated Magnum photographer David Hurn talking about his life and work from Wales to Hollywood and historian Tim Ryan on Rescuing a Princess, a fascinating talk about the last Severn Ferry.

A Just Giving page has been set up for donations and grants are being applied for by the Lower Wye Valley Buildings Preservation Trust.