The Friends of St Mary’s
Become a Friend.
The Friends of St Mary’s, Brecon was set up in 2023 to support the church’s vital work in the community and to help preserve its architectural heritage as an iconic building at the centre of Brecon.
St Mary’s is a beautiful and historic place of worship which has served the people of Brecon for over 800 years. But, to continue this mission, we need your help. You can make a difference by:
becoming a Friend of St Mary’s – at an annual subscription of £25
making a one-off donation;
leaving a legacy in your will;
Your contribution, however small, will help us maintain our facilities, and provide an inclusive space for the community. Because of its location, it is important that the building remains relevant for everyone.
Charity No:1202893 Email: friendstmarys01@gmail.com
Ways to become a Friend.
There are several different ways that you can become a Friend of St Mary’s.
You can pick up forms at St Mary’s and return it with your subscription to the church.
You can also print out the form and return it with your subscription to St Mary’s.
Or you can donate via Paypal by clicking the button below.
Your £25 donation is all that is needed to become a Friend.
Whichever way you choose, you’ll know that your generosity will help St Mary’s continue to thrive for many years to come to develop even more as a vibrant community centre in the heart of Brecon.
the Friends of St Mary’s
Speaker Series
Tuesday 16th September, 7pm: Peter Ford
The Hay Murder - Dandelion Dead
Tuesday 21st October, 7pm: Heather Maling
Joining the Caterpillar Club
The Caterpillar Club is the club you don't want to join! It is an informal organisation of people who have bailed out of a stricken aircraft and survived by using a parachute. down over enemy occupied Jugoslavia in 1944, RAF Navigator Derek Maling was the sole survivor of his Wellington bomber. He was rescued and protected by the Partisans, hidden from the Ustashe and after recovering from his injuries, embarked on a extraordinary 200 mile journey to freedom.
After finding his wartime diaries and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of this episode, his daughter Heather Maling, travels in his footsteps and discovers much more about her father's journey.
Heather is a mountaineer and adventurer who lives at Cantref, near Brecon. Her parents retired to Defynnog and lived there through the 1980s and 1990s.
Tuesday 18th November, 7pm: Beryl Gibson
Woven Textile Design - where colour, craft & design meet
The Music of the Coronation; The Welsh Connection
The launch event for The Friends occurred on Friday April 12th, 2024.
Brecon resident Professor Grahame Davies, CVO gave us a wonderful insight as to how he came to be the person who oversaw all the music for the Coronation and for the later Honours of Scotland ceremony for King Charles. Grahame helped shape the musical event of a lifetime which featured starring roles for Welsh performers and composers, for the newly-commissioned Cross of Wales and - for the first time ever at a Coronation – the use of the Welsh language.
Erin Thomas, winner of Brecon Choir Festival’s Young Singer Award of 2023 and Louise Wood, a Welsh mezzo-soprano currently studying at Royal Northern College of Music sang two of the pieces for which Grahame wrote the lyrics. Erin sang for the the King and Queen when they visited Brecon in 2023.
Everybody needs friends. People who help us through life. People stick with us through thick and thin. St Mary’s Brecon is no different. The church building has stood in the heart of Brecon, serving the people of Brecon, for the better part of 800 years. But it has only done so through the love, dedication, and support of friends—people from all walks of life who have shown their appreciation for what the place has done for them by giving back.
Keeping
St Mary’s
Alive
St Mary’s is on the move. The beloved Tower Café is thriving. The congregation is rapidly growing. The building is again becoming a venue for regular concerts and other events. And it’s a special place for many young families as a place where they can relax while their children play in a warm, friendly, and safe place. It’s also where others can find company and friendship.
But we need your support to make sure this continues.