A new priest-in-charge and
a new church extension

l to r: The Revd Nansi Davies, The Bishop, and Revd Dr WIlliam Ingle-Gillis in Shirenewton's new church extension

The Revd Dr William Ingle-Gillis, formerly of the Caldicot group of parishes was licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the Caerwent group of parishes (Caerwent, Llanvair Discoed, Shirenewton and Newchurch) by Bishop Dominic at a service held in the Church of St Stephen and St Tathan, Caerwent, on Thursday, 25th September. The installation was witnessed by a full congregation not only from his new parishes but also by friends and former parishioners.

On Monday 27th October, the Bishop was back in the benefice to conduct a service of dedication and blessing at the formal opening of the new extension to St Thomas Beckett church, Shirenewton. A large congregation attended the service in the church and then followed the Bishop into the splendour of the new hall. This was celebrated by a friendly social evening.

This was a day that the Shirenewton community could be proud of. An enormous amount of effort and dedication had gone into the building of this project. In five years the fund-raising team, led by Kevin Bounds, took on the mammoth task of innovatively raising over £200,000 by organising events including the Shirenewton Golf Classic, sponsored bike rides, an on-line shopping portal, Church Fete, and a play Sorted written by a local playwright. All these projects were supported by the ‘Friends of Shirenewton Church’.

The first turf was turned in November 2006. Mr John Saysell, a local stone mason, and his team took on the responsibility for the construction of this high quality building. The skills and craftsmanship of these men produced a building which compliments the existing church but built to 21st Century standards. It is a stone building with oak windows and doors, a large light hall with a Canadian maple wood floor, a modern kitchen and toilets. In the future it will not only be used for church activities such as its flourishing Sunday school but also by local clubs and societies of which there are many. This hall will very quickly be loved and used by the local community.

David Evans and Barbara Walters