Months of determined fundraising by the villagers of Llangarron, to transform their church into a centre for the village, were put in jeopardy when the government withdrew VAT relief on building alterations to listed buildings.

The Llangarron Village Project was cited as one that would be seriously affected by the new legislation, with an estimated £55,000 being added to the bill for converting the North Aisle of Llangarron Church into a much needed multi-use community "hub".

Last week, MP Jesse Norman visited Llangarron to look at the plans and find out more about the Village Project. More importantly, he reassured the Project Team that an extra £30 million a year had been made available for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme to cover the newly imposed VAT. Thankfully the fundraising team discovered that, although it means extra paperwork, Llangarron will be able to reclaim the extra VAT in full.

Jesse chatted enthusiastically with Wendy Coombey, Community Partnership and Funding Officer for the Diocese, and members of the Project Team. He voiced his support for the new venue and endorsed its aim to provide a range of much needed events, activities and services for the whole community. Mr Norman will be returning to open the village's Summer Fete at Langstone Court at 1.30pm on Saturday, July 7th.