As I drove down the narrow, winding lane to St Peter’s Church in Henllys on Sunday 28 September, I had no idea the story would feature a famous James Bond film actor and (possibly) the oldest church bell in the UK.
The 800-year-old church is a beautiful, but very short, drive off the lane that links Henllys to Newport. The road kinks at one point, and just before you go around the corner, the church sits in the distance on the brow of a hill in front of you.
The latest building inspection report highlighted some essential work that needs to be done to avoid it being closed.
The volunteers I met were also keen to remind the community that everyone is welcome at its weekly service, held every Sunday at 3pm.
Keiron Jones, the vicar’s warden, said: “Ours [inspection report] brought up a few things that need doing, [that are] out of our budget. We’ve been here for 800 years. If we don’t pay our bills, the doors are going to shut.
“There are so many family connections throughout the whole of Cwmbran and Newport to this building.”
3pm Sunday service
Lisa Blakeman , treasurer, told me she has a busy life running her own business, and the afternoon service fits in perfectly with her life.
She said: “That’s why our timing, at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, is perfect for younger families and also for working people like myself. This morning, I’ve been out, I’ve done my shopping.
“You can go home and have your dinner after. It fits in really nicely. We’ve got a wonderful vicar (The Reverend Elizabeth Kerl).
“We just need to get a little bit of interest so that people know that we are open on a Sunday afternoon and that it is all ages, and it is very relaxed. It’s the people in here that make it so homely.
“It’s a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the world. When you come up here, it’s so quiet and peaceful. Just physically, where it is, is a blessing. It’s a short service [around 30 mins), it doesn’t go on for three hours. All ages are welcome.
“It focuses you. It gives you half an hour of peace and quiet. There’s something special about it [the church].
Bell from 1347
Ron Burnett, one of the county councillors for Two Locks (the ward that includes Henllys) has been the people’s warden at the church for 40 years and got married there 52 years ago.
He said: “In the tower, there are three bells, and the oldest one is 1347. It’s one of seven Bristol bells smelted and it’s the first one. We think it could be one of the oldest in the country. We know it’s the oldest in Wales.
“During the Reformation, they told the bells and smelted them for cannon fodder. They missed these. They didn’t’ find us. Hundreds of years ago, nobody would have known where Henllys was.
“This church has served its parish from the 12th century, and we want it to serve the parish for many, many years to come.”
Q from James Bond
And what about the link to the world’s most famous fictional spy, James Bond? Desmond Llewelyn, from Malpas, played Q in 17 James Bond films. His mum and dad are buried in the church’s graveyard.
The church also needs volunteers to help maintain its graveyard and grounds.
Make a donation
Donate to the church’s GoFundMe fundraiser here.