AROUND 100 people visited a Monmouthshire church at the weekend to celebrate the success of a four-year campaign to repair the roof.

The service was a culmination of a four year campaign to raise £400,000 needed to repair the roof of the Grade II-listed church after tiles were falling off and posing a danger to church-goers.

The service at St Cadoc’s Church, Raglan, was packed for the special Eucharist and Service of Dedication by the Bishop of Monmouth, and the church’s current vicar, the Rt Rev Richard Pain.

A campaign called ‘Raise the Roof’ was set up in 2013 by the church’s previous vicar, Joan Wakeling, and three parishioner’s, and the money was raised through a variety of fundraising events.

However, although the work to the roof is nearly finished, fundraising is still under way to refurbish the church in general.

“Well, we are extremely excited understandably,” said reverend Pain, the vicar of St Cadoc’s Church.

“I have only been the vicar since 2014, so it (the Raise the Roof campaign) started before I came, but the builders that we had, well they have done a fantastic job and one of the members (of the campaign) has been involved with raising the money locally.

“We used the school before (for the week day services). We used a community room.

“We did use the church on Sundays, though.

Next Wednesday will be our first week day back in the church for a weekday service.”

The service on Sunday saw around 100 people turn up to celebrate the church roof being near competition, included the bishop of Monmouth, reverend Richard Pain, blessing the kitchenette, resurfaced porch floor and re-laid paths, before rededicating the refurbished church roof.

Praise was also given to the Project Team, who had organised events and helped to raise the vast amount of money needed to compete the work.

Beverley Jones, fundraising coordinator for the campaign, said it was through the help of the community that the money was raised.

She said: “We have raised around £50,000 through community funding and also had money coming in from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw too.

“People don’t realise how beautiful the church is inside and with the refurbishment people will be able to see it properly now.”

To donate to Raise the Roof, visit raglan-parishes.org.uk