A project to save a 13th century church has been given a cash boost by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A community-run project to save St Michael’s Church in the centre of Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn has been handed a grant of £183,000.

The project, which will run until May 2021, aims to fix a leaky roof at the medieval church and undertake other repairs and improvements.

The National Lottery grant will cover 75 per cent of the cost of the project and the community will be working to raise the rest from other sources and local fundraising activities.

Local people of all ages will be involved in the project, drawing on their shared knowledge, memories and stories through oral history.

It is also hoped that it will enable the children at Ysgol Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn to learn more about the church and make more use of it.

Members of the Ceredigion Heritage Youth Panel will also be involved through the NLHF ‘Unloved Heritage: Ceredigion off-limits’ project.

The church is a Grade II listed building and all the building work will be planned and managed by an experienced conservation architect.

Repairing the tower and changing the heating system will enable the church to dry out.

The project will also make it possible for the community to take groups up the ancient tower, by replacing wooden ladders with new safe steps.

These will go up to the top floor where visitors will be able to see the 16th century bell frame and enjoy the wonderful views out.

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