St ILLTYD's

A break in the weather today and a visit to St Illtyds Church, where over the last few weeks a lot of smartening up has been done. Several hundred years older than The Queen this old lady is having a Jubilee year treat. Several hands have been busy at work for weeks.

The rusting old iron gates have been given a brand new coat of black hammerite  paint and almost now, look too new. But beyond the gates, the paths have been beautifully strimmed, allowing visitors to walk around through the carefully kept conservation area, part of The Living Churchyards scheme. It is important that only native species are encouraged to grow here, providing a habitat that supports birds and insects alike. It's lovely of an evening to see our visiting swallows. swooping low over the high grasses and building up their reserves for the flight back to warmer climbs when winter hits here, which up here on the mountain, can be harsh.

Today, the only two exterior doors of the building were being treated with a dark oak weatherproof sealant. The older parts of the door bear the pen-knived initials of courting couples, some of whom, still live nearby. One almost wants new lovers to scratch their marks in the newer wood, so that the inserts more resemble the older panels of the door. And take note of the imperfect angles, a sign of slight subsidence and age but to think this old building has (only just) survived several hundreds of years. De-consecrated in 1957 and brought back to life as recently as 1990, this lovely old building has had a new lease of life and gives pleasure to many as a medieval site.

Even the small side door, no longer used, has had a brand new coat of protective sealant, though this side suffers less onslaught of weather than the western side. The two wooden benches too have been treated by willing hands, as many come here just to sit and rest, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the churchyard. The oldest gravestone here is 1730 and some, barley readable now due to years of weathering are inscribed  in Welsh. Originally dedicated to Santes Helleth (Saint Helen) this wonderful medieval building is still loved and cared for and admired by visitors from all over the world. Long may future generations volunteer to keep her in good health.