Behind the Scenes at Gumfreston Church

ABOUT THIS EVENT
This year the Friends of Friendless Churches are working to repair St Lawrence’s, Gumfreston and conserve its historic wall paintings, with the support of grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and the Welsh national heritage body, Cadw. This fascinating church may no longer be used for regular worship, but it is rich in architectural and historic interest and remains a local landmark. When the work is complete, the church will once again be open to visit and enjoy year-round, and available to use for events, community activities and occasional services. 

To rescue this wonderful Pembrokeshire church, the FoFC is repairing and repointing the stone walls inside and out, re-rendering and limewashing the building, and giving it a new roof.  Inside the church, we’re repairing all the wooden furnishings and investigating and conserving the fragile wall paintings that survive under later paint layers.  

Visitors can see work in progress and meet the team at our open day this summer. Including tours, talks and a building skills demonstration, this is a unique opportunity to get behind the scenes of the FoFC’s biggest ever repair project. 

If you have any queries about this event, please contact us before booking.  
E: maggie@fofc.org.uk T: 0204 520 4458 

PROGRAMME
Morning visit
10.00 - 10.15 Site opens: welcome and sign-in 
10.15 - 10.35 History and archaeology at St Lawrence’s - Ross Cook FSA, archaeologist 
10.50 - 11.10 Repairing St Lawrence’s - Andrew Faulkner RIBA AABC, architect 
11.25 - 11.55 Traditional building materials: using lime at St Lawrence’s - Tree & Sons, contractors 
12.10 - 12.30 Vertical archaeology: wall paintings, historic surfaces - Jane Rutherfoord ACR, conservator
12.30 - 13.00 Free flow on site. Event finish.

Afternoon visit
14.00 - 14.15 Site opens: welcome and sign-in 
14.15 - 14.35 History and archaeology at St Lawrence’s - Ross Cook FSA, archaeologist
14.50 - 15.10 Repairing St Lawrence’s - Andrew Faulkner RIBA AABC, architect 
15.25 - 15.55 Traditional building materials: using lime at St Lawrence’s - Tree & Sons, contractors
16.10 - 16.30 Vertical archaeology: wall paintings, historic surfaces - Jane Rutherfoord ACR, conservator
16.30 - 17.00 Free flow on site. Event finish. 

EVENT INFORMATION
Access: Access to the church is on foot down a steeply sloping drive, with steps into the churchyard, and into the church itself.  There are uneven surfaces in the church and churchyard. We regret that this event is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility difficulties. If you have any questions about access, please contact us before booking.

Visiting safely: Please be aware that St Lawrence’s is currently a working building site. Visitors should wear suitable footwear – no open-toed shoes please. They may be asked to put on PPE (personal protective equipment – hi-viz, hard hat) during their visit. This will be provided by the FoFC. All PPE is sanitised prior to and after use. 

There are holy wells and a stream on site which are unfenced. Visitors are responsible for supervising any children that they have with them. 

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

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

Catering: There is no catering at this event. Visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments. 

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

Parking: Please note that there is no parking available at the church itself. Visitors are also asked not to park on the narrow grass verge of the B4318 adjacent to the church drive.   

Visitors can park at the house next to the church - in the turning area and at the side of the driveway. Enter the church drive, then turn immediately right. More parking is available in the small lane opposite the church drive, on the other side of the B4318. Parking is by kind permission of our neighbours - please park considerately and take care when crossing the B4318. Look out for the FoFC’s signage and our event stewards, who will be able to direct and assist visitors arriving by car.  

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.