For nearly a thousand years, something high in the forest has been watching over the Welsh capital. A community pulled together in the Sixties, giving St. Mary's church in Caerau a short new life. whatchrisdoes@gmail.com
Thanks a lot for sharing that. I love hearing stories from people who have a close connection to the history of things I make short films about. There's so many stories and layers to this stuff, it's really interesting. Thank you for watching!
I visited the church in the early 80`s, rode my Kawasaki 1000 half way up the hill, i needed to walk up the rest of the hill, at the time i was touring the iron age and prehistoric site around Cardiff, i`am glad the church and the area around the church is being protected and kept in good shape, thank you for sharing Chris.
I'm not surprised that you didn't get your bike up there, my legs had enough trouble. I'm hoping to visit some iron age and prehistoric sites around Cardiff within the next few weeks myself. There are some impressive burial structures not far from St. Fagans which I'm keen to look at. Thanks a lot for checking this out, Phil!
Even in ruins this church is a phenomenal place to simply go and be still. Might there be a future for it? Who knows. Last time I was there I was listening to "Do it again" by Elevation Worship. "Walking around these walls I thought by now they'd fall But You have never failed me yet [...] I've seen You move, You move the mountains And I believe I'll see You do it again"
Scott, great piece of history and an interesting video Going back to 1973, I was a teenager living just on the row of houses on the foot of the church and there was a group operating from the Trelai youth club, who carried out building/conversion works, which converted the church into a local disco All with the church, was intact then (the roof + doors etc - but still no bell) and not long after, the doors were shut once again Unfortunately, the church then became very dilapidated with stealing of materials & vandalism Also, whilst works were being carried out in around 1973 ish, and in the evenings, there was a strange paranormal incident which scared the workers on the projectand was the talk of the community, and another crew had to complete the works, as the original gang would not return
Cheers, Dale and thanks a lot for the info. Always great to hear the personal stories of people connected to the church. I didn't know about the paranormal incident, all very spooky. Thanks again for checking this out.
Amazing! I grew up in Cardiff and have been to many of the castles and ancient sites of Wales but never heard of St Mary's church before. I'll spread the word.
Please do. it's a great site and it's very well looked after by a dedicated group of people, some of which used to attend the church or got married there.
Interesting vid. Thanks. Re Llandaff Cathedral’s age.: There was a church at the Llandaff site from the sixth century under St Dyfrig, (Dubricius), who crowned Arthur at Caerleon. Some historians also believe that that church was on the site of an even earlier Celtic one. Llandaff had a bishop before York and before London.
It's really nice to know that there are people dedicated to looking after the church. Lots of us are very grateful to them and their continued efforts.
You never cease to amaze with your amazing mini documentaries love the film style .....really wish I could work with you on some subjects dear to my heart xxx
You're right about the bell. It's probably someones garden gate in Canton or something. It's my own fault for not wearing adequate trousers for trekking up a hill, haha! Thanks a lot for checking this out.
Well I thought I’d explored most places around this area, I certainly missed this little gem shame about the vandalism! Will have to go & find it now 😃
So these misguided vandals think they are destroying the "church". That's how deluded, they an their "master" has become. The true church will never die...
Enjoying these. A refreshingly punchy approach. Suggestion: It's been done to death elsewhere, but not in a really good vid that I can see. Have you considered the St Baruc story at Nells Point, Barry Island? Great views for a vid, and a not so well known but real historical story nonetheless, that I'm sure would have lots and lots of local interest.
Thanks so much for watching these, I really appreciate it! I had never heard of St. Baruc - what a story. I'll certainly get on that over the next couple of months. Diolch yn fawr, iawn!
Hi Georgie, I use Lumix GH5's with various lenses as well as a Mavic pro drone, a couple of clip on Sony Mics, and iPhone 10 and Premiere pro to edit. Happy to break this down more if you'd like to hear it. Thank you for checking this out.
