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The Renovated Church, from Paul Kemble's Collection
Les and Family with Arun and Paul
Linda, Carol, John, Delia, Tony & Paul

St. Mary's Autumn News 2022

And what good news it is! The Repair Team comprising local group CAER, SPAB, and volunteers led by Dr. Oliver Davis have worked their magic to repair and preserve St. Mary's for generations to come. All this summer the team has been making the lime mortar necessary to carry out the many repairs needed to the church structure and this autumn it set about repairing the holes made by weather and vandals and topping the low walls with soft grass covering, which it is hoped will stop vandals picking out loose stones. The result is magnificent.

It has been very hard physical work for the volunteers & groups, the extent of the effort is captured brilliantly by Caerau Friend Linda who was part of the working team. Here is a brief overview of the work provided by Linda:

Spring:- Site visit and samples of mortar taken, analysed, and a supply of suitable stones found and delivered to St Fagans. Summer at St. Fagans:- (aprox 30 volunteers per day x 2 weeks). Cleaning and preparation of lime kiln and site. Deliveries of coke and wood and sand. Training in, and process of, Filling and Lighting of lime kiln and production of lime for mortar, and then emptying when burn finished. Sorting and bagging of lime. Training in mixing different products; wattle and daub; re-pointing of stonework. This involved moving and breaking tons of stone continuously. Autumn St Mary's/ Heritage centre:- (up to 80 volunteers per day over one week) Sieving, crushing, slaking and bagging of lime;- small kiln burning demos; carrying daily lorry loads of equipment. Carrying/transporting equipment, scaffolding etc and lime, soil, manure, sand, turf and water onto site. Mixing of mortar; mixing compost. Essential parts of Tower re-pointed, capped. Arch tree completely removed and stabilising re-pointing. Some graffiti removal. Walls stabilised, re-pointed and capped with turf. Training in graffiti removal, mortar mixes, re-pointing, capping etc. Recording. This was all very physical, heavy and filthy work and the volunteers came in batches as it was so hard. ( A few of us stayed throughout.) A meeting was due to be held that week to discuss on going care for the site. I have been up since. Have not needed to water turf thanks to rain. Some bits have been picked off but not too bad and its already starting to grow. Its an easy matter to add a bit of grass seed as needed preferably gathered from grass on site.

Caerau Friends meeting in November were delighted to see the excellent repair work, in particular the beautiful grass topped walls, and the tidy state of the graveyard, thanks to the Bereavement Department's gardening team. I believe Father Jones would be very pleased to see the ruins of his beloved St. Mary's looking cherished and cared for, with its handsome cross, now weathering in, it is uplifting and a joy indeed.

Other News

Earlier this year Les Phillips now living in South Africa visited St. Mary's with his wife and son. Les was one of Father Jones's helpers at the time of the late 50's early 60's restoration, and holds St. Mary's and his time assisting Father Jones in deep affection.

Les and his family were hosted by Caerau Friends Dr. Arun Talwar and his wife, Chand, and Paul Kemble. Les later wrote that he was most appreciative of the kindness shown to him by Arun, Paul and Chand escorting him to the church and later taking him and his family to supper at the 'Culver' (now known as Cooper's Carvery).

St. Mary's has had several oversees visitors this year, all with a connection to the church and/or have relatives buried in its graveyard. Sadly, many of the grave stones are being lost due to weather and vandalism. Fortunately, The Friends compiled a grave map early on in their formation and the map is able to give an indication of where loved ones graves are/ or have been.

As always, Caerau Friends are often to be found on the hill collecting litter, tidying up, and looking out for damage. Please support the work of the Friends by visiting regularly, and joining the group if you can.

Delia Jay
Founder, Friends of St. Mary's