A CAMPAIGN to raise £100,000 to pay for repairs to the roof of a medieval church has reached £8,500.

Parishioners launched the Keep St Cybi’s Open appeal for St Cybi’s Church, in Llangibby, near Usk, in October of last year after a crack appeared in the plaster above its rare pipe organ.

The organ was quickly dismantled and part of the church closed on health and safety grounds. An inspection revealed that the rest of the ceiling was at risk and that rare 15th and 17th century wall paintings, deemed irreplaceable by Cadw, were in danger of falling off the walls from hidden damp.

The church has remained open with the congregation worshipping in the west end.

Reverend Pamela Love, assistant curate for the four churches in the Llangybi group, said the funds raised to date by the community will enable an investigation to be carried out to assess the extent of the problem.

Fundraisers have included a concert, fancy dress social evening and a two night carol singing collection in the village. A supper and concert of songs from around the world by Village Voices, the local choir, raised over £700.

Earlier this year, the prospective parliamentary candidate for Monmouth, David Davies, gave two open return first class train tickets, donated by First Great Western, to the appeal. The tickets will be won by the highest bidder in a silent auction which ends on May 1.

To bid for the tickets, send your offer and contact details to Rev Love by May 1 via email at pljl13@aol.com or 01633 450347.