• Christ Church Living,  History & Architecture,  News,  The House

    Unusual Things video

    We have been featured on the YouTube channel ‘Unusual Things’, which focuses on finding famous graves and other quirky, unusual things. The channel’s creator, Paul, came to Welshpool in search of actor Gary Holton’s final resting place in Maesgwasted Cemetery, and keen to explore further, he wandered in during one of our open afternoons. It’s an interesting video from the…

  • History & Architecture,  News,  WW1 Memorials

    Book launch

    Ten years ago I had the idea to research the stories behind the memorials in the churchyards that were dedicated to someone that died in the First World War. On the centenary of their death, their story was put on display as part of the Remembering the Fallen of the Great War at Christ Church exhibition. The feedback and support…

  • gary holton grave
    Christ Church Living

    Welshpool’s link with Auf Wiedersehen, Pet

    Over the years we have been frequently asked the whereabouts of the grave of Gary Holton, the actor who was famous for his role of Wayne in the 1980’s comedy-drama show Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Gary isn’t buried in the churchyard here at Christ Church, but his ashes are interred in neighbouring Maesgwasted Cemetery with his grandparents. Gary’s parents once owned…

  • Maesgwasted Cemetery looking towards Christ Church
    Christ Church Living,  History & Architecture

    ‘John the Pole’

    With living in the middle of a churchyard, we are often asked to help locate a grave and it is always a pleasure to assist. We were recently contacted by a gentleman from a Polish Soldier’s Memorial organisation, Polskie Miejsca Pamieci, who was researching the story of ‘John the Pole’. He had very little information to go on other than…

  • History & Architecture,  News,  WW1 Memorials

    WW1 stories

    In addition to the promotional video for the Welshpool WW1 Walk (see previous post), we were also filmed sharing a couple of the stories of the WW1 memorials in the churchyard. Powys War Memorials Project created several WW1 Stories films in other Powys towns which are very interesting so do look out for those. The story of Joseph Ithel Jehu…

  • History & Architecture,  News,  WW1 Memorials

    Welshpool WW1 Walk

    We’re honoured to be included in the new Welshpool WW1 Walk compiled by the Powys War Memorial Project. The trail takes you around Welshpool highlighting places and buildings that have a connection to the First World War. The walk incorporates the churchyard and our Poppy Trail (a leaflet of which is available inside the church or you can download it…

  • History & Architecture,  WW1 Memorials

    Remembering the Fallen of the Great War – Cyril Patrick Pryce Yearsley

    Cyril Patrick Pryce Yearsley Private :: Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Died :: 8th January 1920 :: UK The memorial in the churchyard reads: Also Cyril their son {Charles and Lizzie Elenor Pryce Yearsley Who died January 8th 1920 Aged 19 years ‘Abide with me’ Cyril was born in 1900 in Welshpool. He was baptised on 11th April 1900. His parents were Charles…

  • History & Architecture,  Restoration

    Up in the Air

    A few weeks ago we hired a ‘cherry picker’ to access the higher reaches of the building to do some re-pointing and to check over the guttering. We were able to get a lift that goes higher (up to 21 metres) than we have previously been able to which was great for reaching the nave roof guttering and for getting…