St Collen's offered as vaccination centre, says vicar

llanblogger exclusive

* St Collen's, a possible Covid-19 vaccination centre.

St Collen’s Church in Llangollen could become an official Covid-19 vaccination centre. 

Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire has already become part of the massive drive to see millions of people inoculated against the killer bug.

 

And Llangollen vicar Father Lee Taylor says he has volunteered the town’s historic parish church to perform a similar role for the Welsh Government.     

 

By late last week hundreds of people had queued at Lichfield Cathedral to get their coronavirus jab.

 

The centuries-old place of worship has seen field hospital-style facilities along with waiting areas set up inside, including along its central aisle.

 

The Dean of Lichfield said people working there had been "buzzing" to help. 

Although places of worship have been allowed to stay open during the latest lockdown, the cathedral had chosen to close, holding services online. 

The dean said he offered use of the cathedral to the Lichfield Primary Care Network after news of Covid vaccines emerged. 

* People queue outside Lichfield Cathedral for their jabs.

The Very Rev Adrian Dorber told the Press Association setting it up had only taken a couple of days. 

"We've got some really well-drilled volunteers and a really capable staff, who have just kind of gone into 'battle action' and done it," he said. 

Father Lee said the use of the cathedral was a “brilliant idea” and explained: “I’ve told the Welsh Government they can use St Collen’s if need be. I haven’t had a response yet. 

“I made the offer because the church is a large building in the centre of town and is there to serve people in the community.” 

Llanblogger recently revealed how Llangollen Health Centre had become one of the first north Wales GP practices to become a Cvid-19 vaccination centre.

The week before last the centre received and administered 100 doses of the Oxford vaccine. Later its staff received 70 doses and have now administered those too.

Over the next fortnight the centre is due to receive a further 400 doses which it says will be enough to vaccinate all its patients aged 80 and over.

Late last year llanblogger revealed how Father Lee had unveiled plans to upgrade St Collen’s with the aim of making it a hub for a wider range of religious and social use.

His Community Vision proposals include:

* The removal of pews at the front of the nave to allow a raised platform stage to be built for worship and performance events    

* The provision of a folding kitchen to provide refreshments at cafe-style social gatherings

* Repositioning of the font to a more practical location      

* The installation of modern LED lights in the roof to highlight its historic beauty

* Fitting glass doors at entrances to allow the heavy oak front door to be left open to make the building feel more welcoming

* A new chapel for private worship where the current vestry is sited

* Replacing the traditional pipe organ with a digital version

The plans are under discussion and the Diocesan Advisory Committee must approve them before Father Lee makes bids for funding.