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Top awards for three churches

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Three churches in North Wales have scooped top awards at the National Church Awards.St Paul’s Church in Rhosesmor which runs The Outpost, a community shop, was the overall winner of the Church and Community Volunteer Award, beating other churches from England, Scotland and north Ireland.St Saeran Church in Llanynys, near Ruthin, was the country winner for Wales in the Open for Visitors Award (Tourism Award). Ss Deiniol and Marcella in Marchwiel near Wrexham was the country winner for Wales in the Excellence in Church Maintenance Award.Representatives from all three churches went to the historic Mercers’ Company Livery Hall in the City of London for the awards ceremony run by the National Churches Trust yesterday (Monday 24 October 2022).

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The Vicar of St Paul’s Church in Rhosesmor described the team as “buzzing” after scooping the top prize in the volunteer category. Revd Hugh Burgess said, “The team is delighted. This is a great reward for all of them for the hard work, commitment and mutual support that they give to make this project work for the benefit of the whole Community.“Two members of the team, Lynn Fearnhead and Natalie Griffiths, went to London to collect the award and the rest of us gathered to watch the ceremony via the live stream. Many of us were struggling to hold back tears when we were announced as the overall winner in our category.”

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The Outpost opened in October 2021. It stocks everyday basics such as bread, milk, butter and eggs, much of which is locally sourced, as well as handmade treats, such as cakes, fudge and chocolates. Specially made shelving units display the shop’s stock which can be easily folded away for services.Rhosesmor is three miles away from the nearest shop and The Outpost has become the heart of the community. Almost 40 volunteers keep the shop open and have become a mutually supportive community. The shop has grown into a lively village centre which runs a book club, a jigsaw swap, a veg and plant swap and an annual scarecrow competition. Most recently it has been helping Ukrainian refugees.In selecting The Outpost as the overall winner, the judges identified “the way that volunteers had responded to the specific needs of the area and the way that the church has harnessed the generosity of spirit of a large number people in a small village”.In a coincidence of timing, building work started at St Paul’s yesterday to create a larger café space for The Outpost and add a small kitchen and toilet. One of the observations of the judges was an acknowledgement that the building was not ideal but nonetheless The Outpost didn’t let this stop them. The Outpost has temporarily moved to the village Institute for the next few months and will re-open at St Paul’s once the building work is complete.

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St Saeran in Llanynys won the Church Tourism (Open for Visitors) Award for Wales. In its submission, the church was asked “Why is being open important to you?” In response they said:"If we’re not open how could people come in? Churches are there to be sanctuary and a safe space for anyone and everyone whenever they come in whatever frame of mind."The truth we have had to face in Llanynys is that the future of the church building lies outside of Sunday Worship and so we are reimagining what this can be that remains true to its 1,500-year-old foundation as a place of spiritual nurturing and nourishments. The church itself is in the middle of nowhere with no population surrounding it. However, we are surrounded by some of the most picturesque countryside in Wales with many small and hidden footpaths just waiting to be discovered. The church is never closed."You can find out more about the pilgrimage plans at Llanynys and its neighbouring churches in this article: Pilgrimage for Preservation (PDF)Find out more about St SaeranSt Deiniol & St Marcella in Marchwiel, near Wrexham, (top picture) was the Wales winner in the Church Maintenance Awards. The wardens were asked to respond to the question: “What the best thing is about being involved in church maintenance.”Heather Rowland said, "For the wardens it is difficult to identify the best thing because at times it is hard work trying to remain positive about the future of our Christian places of worship, especially when you feel passionate about maintaining standards and being caretakers for such a valuable asset in the community. For me personally it is the joy of finally seeing a particular project complete and well done and knowing that this will contribute to the continued survival of our Christian place of worship for future generations."The Diocese of St Asaph sent congratulations to all the winners and thanked all the volunteers for their hard work.