A GRADE II-listed church is renewing its appeal to install a toilet that can be used by parishioners and visitors who find themselves in desperate need.

St Cadoc’s church, in the Old Village, Cadoxton, Barry, needs to find £65,000 to provide a toilet and fix the courtyard’s footpath.

After four years, since the appeal was first launched, it is just over half-way there.

Rector, Father Ben Andrews of Cadoxton-Juxta-Barry, has completed two sponsored bike rides, applied for grants, and accepted individual donations, and would like to appeal to any companies, or businesses, as well as groups and individuals, who could step in and help hit the fundraising target by Spring next year.

Father Andrews said: “We began the appeal four years ago.

“We need to replace the path - put a path around - because the toilet is going at the back because we are restricted because we are in a conservation area.

“We are a grade-II listed building.

“For weddings and funerals, we say we can accommodate 70 people.

“Lots of people have got connections – they were either married here and a lot come back for funerals.

“When churches were built, they didn’t have toilets and for many years people used the Three Bells (the former public house next to the site).

“But in this modern climate that we are in, the first thing people ask when they come to a baptism or funeral or wedding is, “Where’s the toilet?” and we say, “We haven’t got one.”

“They wait or they go to The Billy (King William IV, in Bridge Street) which is a few hundred metres away

“On the whole there’s a lot of elderly people here so it is a basic thing as it is in a lot of churches.

“If we try and do any social events like the summer fair or concerts it’s a natural thing for people to ask for a toilet.

“Occasionally we have concerts or talks and the plan is once we get the toilet we’ll be able to do more events.

“The toilet would cost around £50,000 and we are applying for grants, but we are appealing to those who’ve got connections and have an affection.”

Tenders have already been made and the next stage would be to seek planning permission – both with the church and local authority.

“Ideally we would want to start next Spring,” Father Andrews added.

“It would just take pressure off people.

“Even I think, 'I’m going to St Cadoc’s, I need to go to the toilet before I go'.

“It is a constraint.”

To donate, visit either St Cadoc’s or St Mary’s Church, in Holton Road; email frbenandrews@aol.com or visit benificeofbarry.com

Donations can also be sent to St Cadoc’s Church, Coldbrook Road West, Cadoxton, Barry, CF63 1QY.