Visit by members of St Cynbryd’s Church, Llanddulas, to Bala

At St Cynbryd’s we are considering carrying out some re-ordering, our immediate objective being to create some “socialising” space by removing pews from the south aisle.  However, we also want to install a toilet and kitchen facilities.  As might be expected, there are lots of different ideas about where to put these and what the design might be.  To help us plan for both the short and long term, we decided to visit other Churches that have carried out re-ordering, and because we knew you at Bala had done a magnificent re-ordering, we thought Bala should be our first visit.

On Saturday 8^th November, our party of six was welcomed by Adrian & Hilary Murray, Rector Nia and Eleanor who provided us with soup and rolls in your lovely kitchen area.  That facility was the first thing that made us envious!   We then went into the nave where we sat down on the nice soft chairs (not hard pews, more envy!) and Nia enthralled us with her account of the whole background of the re-ordering and its implementation.  After a lot of questions, we wandered around looking at the beautiful bright, friendly Church with its splendid lighting, ingenious removable altar and altar rails, and the built-up area and gallery at the back of the nave.  I had been to the Church twice before for concerts, the first time when it was very cold outside, and I vividly remember bending down to feel the lovely warm tiled floor (yet more envy!!).

Do please record in a booklet what you have done - get Nia to repeat into a recorder what she told us, type it up, and describe the construction work with photos.  It would be so useful for groups like us to be able to read about your achievement, particularly after seeing the re-ordering.

Thank you for welcoming us and taking time to explain what you have done.  We do not intend to match what you have done but it has been inspiring to see what can be done with vision, prayer and leadership.

Many thanks again, and best wishes.

Brian Bell.