A former village church near Lampeter that closed in February 2017 may be poised for a new lease of life as a community centre.

Worshippers at Silian Church were left devastated by the church’s shock demise but a feasibility study is now underway with the aim of renovating the redundant building for community use and safeguarding it as part of the village’s heritage.

The Church in Wales formally decided to make the church redundant in October last year after insurers warned it would have to close for urgent repairs.

Canon Andy Herrick, who voted in favour of permanent closure, said the church’s hand had been forced because of the danger of falling slates and that the building was getting "progressively worse". But now former church members, together with a local community councillor, have formed Menter Silian, to try and find a way to save the building.

“The village currently has no amenities and no place to meet, and there is no other building suitable for community use,” said spokesperson Nikki Vousden.

“Currently, we do not have much opportunity to get to know our neighbours and given that loneliness and isolation are such an issue in today’s world, we are very keen for the chance to build a strong and inclusive community.”

Negotiations with the Church in Wales have resulted in the offer of a 25-year lease at a peppercorn rent, and the group has secured £12,100 for the feasibility study.

As part of the feasibility study, a community engagement event will be held on today at Lampeter Rugby Club, with an informal drop-in session from 3pm to 6.30pm, followed by formal presentations and discussion from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

More details are available on the Hen Eglwys Silian Old Church Facebook page or by email at [email protected]

See this week's south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now