The congregation of All Saints Church in Kilvey, Swansea, have been dealt a double blow this year. Due to the deterioration of the Church and the dwindling numbers in its congregation, the Church in Wales took the decision to close it. The Christmas carol service was meant to be one of the last services at the church, but it has been cancelled due to health and safety fears.
The church had been decorated for Christmas and a fresh tree had been bought to ensure the service was as good as it could be. However, it seems that the church's insurers have put a stop to it due to the risks the building poses. The only way the service can go ahead is if the congregation accept personal liability for any damage that could occur.
The Reverend Steven Bunting said, "It's the safety of the people that is paramount. We thought we could carry it on for the final few weeks, but the insurance company said there's no way."
He added, "Obviously it is devastating for those in the church that wanted it. It's heartbreaking for them to be told it's closing and then to have their final services pulled out from under them. But we can't mess around with health and safety nowadays."
