171-Year-Old Risca Church to Get Accessible Toilet and Running Water

Visitors to St Mary the Virgin, a Victorian church in Risca, Caerphilly county, are set to benefit from the installation of an accessible toilet, addressing a lack of facilities that has persisted since its opening 171 years ago. Previously, individuals attending the 1853 Grade II listed building had to traverse a busy road and ascend a steep path to access a nearby hall for restroom use. This development also marks the first time running water will be introduced to the church. Churchwarden Janet Jones described the initiative as “a huge relief to all visitors, especially for those with mobility issues and families with young children”. She further commented, “Unfortunately, sometimes the church, for whatever reason, does not keep up with the speed of change within communities and can fail to provide the facilities needed.” Ms. Jones affirmed that the church remained “still a central place of worship in our valley community” and expressed satisfaction that it would now be equipped to host community social events and welcome visits from local schools. Ms. Jones also noted that St Mary’s represents the most recent in a succession of churches that have stood on this location since the 13th Century, with evidence of settlements extending to Roman times. The Jane Hodge Foundation provided the necessary funding, acting upon a recommendation from the National Churches Trust (NCT). Additionally, a new kitchen servery area is slated for installation as part of the project. This allocation is part of a broader £871,696 urgent funding disbursement from the NCT, intended to support the continued operation and use of churches throughout the UK. Claire Walker, NCT chief executive, commented that the funding for the “beautiful building” would “help to keep the church building open and serving local people”. Gareth Simpson of NCT Wales remarked, “Adding in toilets and kitchens to churches can make them a much more welcoming space for the community and help to create a sustainable income stream as it makes the building easier to hire out for events and meetings.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.