Practical day at Llangua Church

ABOUT THIS EVENT
With the support of grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and the Garfield Weston Foundation, this year the Friends of Friendless Churches are repairing beautiful ancient St James's, Llangua, which lies on the banks of the River Monnow in the Monmouthshire countryside. To rescue this wonderful church, we need to repair its historic roof timbers using traditional carpentry techniques and carefully introduce new steel work where necessary to help support the stone-tiled roof. We’ll also re-lay the roof, taking care to protect the rare mosses that live on the tiles, and repoint the walls using lime. Inside the church, we’re repairing the ceiling and furnishings, and protecting the walls with a new coat of lime plaster.  

Our practical day offers a unique opportunity to see the church up close and meet our team - and to roll up your sleeves and try your hand at practical craft skills alongside the live repair project. You’ll learn about traditional building materials and a range of repair techniques, and see how the team is tackling the complex conservation issues at St James’s.   

WHAT'S INVOLVED?
After an introduction to St James’s and the repair project by our architect, Andrew Faulkner, you’ll divide into small groups for practical activities with our contractors Jones and Fraser. We’ll explain and demonstrate working with lime, including preparing and mixing materials. You’ll have chance to try applying pointing mortar and plaster.  You’ll also look in detail at the historic roof structure, what it can tell us about changes and repairs to the church over time, and the methods we’re using to stabilise and repair it. You can also help with assessing the stone tiles and grading them for re-use, learning about this traditional material and how the roof covering is set out and installed.   

This event will appeal to anyone with an interest in historic buildings and their repair, who would like to learn or expand their knowledge of traditional building materials and techniques, and practice their hands-on skills. No prior knowledge or experience are necessary. 

Places are limited so BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. Please read the event information below carefully before booking. If you have any questions before the event, please get in touch.   
E: maggie@fofc.org.uk T: 0204 520 4458 

PROGRAMME
Parking shuttle
09.45 Site opens – welcome and sign-in (Hot and cold drinks available) 
10.00 Event start – Introduction and safety briefing  
10.15 - 10.45 Repairing St James’s - Andrew Faulker RIBA AABC, architect 
10.45 BREAK Refreshments 
11.00 - 12.30 Practical activities: session 1 – Jones & Fraser, contractors 
12.30 LUNCH Provided
13.15 - 14.45 Practical activities: session 2 – Jones & Fraser, contractors 
14.45 BREAK Refreshments 
15.00 - 16.30 Practical activities: session 3 - Jones & Fraser, contractors 
16.30 Tidy up and informal Q&A 
17.00 Event finish. Parking shuttle.

EVENT INFORMATION
Location and Access: St James’s, Llangua, Monmouthshire, NP7 8HD. Access to the church is a down a gently sloping grass and gravel drive, with steps into the churchyard, and into the church itself.  There are uneven surfaces in the church and churchyard.  

Activities at this event will take place around the church, in the churchyard and on the scaffold at roof level. Access to the scaffold is via a staircase with shallow treads (not a ladder). There is a large railed standing area on the scaffold at roof level. Activities will include handling stone roof tiles, which are substantial and heavy – handling advice will be given and participants supervised.  We regret that elements of this event are not suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility difficulties.  If you have any queries, please contact us before booking: E: maggie@fofc.org.uk T: 020 4520 4458 

Participating safely: Please be aware that St James’s is currently a working building site and the event involves doing practical activities on site. Participants should wear work clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty and substantial footwear – work boots or similar, with steel toe caps. Work gloves and eye protection (i.e. safety glasses) will be provided, but you can bring your own if you prefer. Other PPE (personal protective equipment – hi-viz, hard hat) will be provided by the FoFC. All PPE is sanitised prior to and after use. 

Activities on the day will take place inside and outside the church, and on the scaffolding. Please dress for the weather forecast and carry water and sun protection if the day is hot, as facilities on site are limited. Seating will be limited. 

Facilities: There are temporary toilets (M and F portaloos) available on site. 

Catering:  Hot and cold drinks, light refreshments and a light/sandwich lunch are provided. Please let us know about any dietary preferences or allergies when booking your place at the event.

Dogs: No dogs are permitted on site during the event, except for assistance dogs. 

Parking: Please note there is NO PARKING available at the church. (Participants are also asked NOT TO PARK on road verges near the church as it is unsafe to do so.)

We are providing a free shuttle bus for participants at this event.
Participant parking is at Ewyas Harold Memorial Hall car park, Pontrilas Road, Ewyas Harold, HR2 0EL. (This is just off the A465 road between Abergavenny and Hereford, and a short distance from Llangua.) The bus will take participants to the church and return them to the car park at the end of the event.
We will circulate full details before the event to all participants attending.

By rail:   
The closest railway stations are Abergavenny or Hereford (then a c15 minute taxi ride to St James’s). 

Photography: Please be aware that photographs and film will be taken throughout the open day. These may be used by the Friends of Friendless Churches for marketing and publicity. If you have any concerns or if you do not wish to appear in photographs, footage or audio, please inform the event team when you arrive.  

You can read the FoFC’s event booking Terms & Conditions here.