PROVIDING access for all at a Powys town’s church has come with the unearthing of a potentially significant find.

A ramp has been installed at St Myllin’s Church, in Llanfyllin High Street, to provide access to those wanting to enter the building and have not been able to do so before.

New steps have also been installed to give access to the church’s doors but according to Richard Kretchmer, from St Myllin’s, there was also a fascinating discovery.

READ MORE: St Myllin's Church access work begins after campaign

He said: “An interesting discovery was made during the excavation for the new steps.

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“A gravestone was discovered just to the left of the church door and it is believed that this might have been the grave of local watchmaker Evan Pryce who was born in 1715 and died in 1820, just before his 105th birthday.

“Even today this would be a remarkable age – at that time it was extraordinary.”

Richard said the unveiling of the steps and ramp for people who use the church was a joyous moment for all involved.

He said: “There was a dramatic moment at St Myllin’s church in Llanfyllin a few weeks ago.

“It was the Harvest Festival and the stunning new steps and ramp at the church door had just been completed after years of planning and fundraising.

“Now people were arriving, some of whom had found access difficult or impossible for years.

“The need to improve the access to St Myllin’s has long been recognised as it is built on a mound raised by the early Christians back in the seventh century.

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“The path up from the High Street has always been a problem for some people, but it was nothing compared with the problem of getting up the steps at the church door.

“Now there is an elegant curving rail beside the path and at the church door there is a flight of four beautiful stone steps and a gently sloping ramp along the church wall.

“There is still work to be done – rails down the corners of the steps and alongside the ramp, but St Myllin’s finally has an entrance worthy of this lovely church and at last there is access for everyone who wants to visit.”