A GWENT parish church opened its doors and archives on Saturday for some tea, cake and an opportunity for people to track down their family heritage.

Members of the Pontypool branch of the Gwent Family History Society joined church volunteers at an open day on Saturday, September 27 at St Cadoc’s Church, Trevethin.

Visitors travelled from as far afield as America to have a look through the parish registers and to locate graves of ancestors in the churchyard.

Ann Phillips, fundraising coordinator at the church, organised the community event with help from other volunteers within the church.

Organiser Ann Phillips, the church’s fundraising co-ordinator, said: “It’s about the community. We are a church which wants to involve the local community and reach out to people.

“Thanks to a team of volunteers who have been cutting down the brambles and bushes, people can now visit and find graves.”

Carl Lovridge travelled from Utah in America with his wife to try and find the grave of his great, great, great-grandfather who was from the area.

A representative of the Gwent branch of the Western Front Association was also on hand to provided information on the history of county regiments from the county.

Judges also chose the winners of the church’s ‘design a memorial’ competition, with class 5b at Pontnewydd Primary School taking coming first place in the schools category.

Pontypool pensioner Ron Webb, who makes dolls houses and miniature scenes, and built a small trench-warfare scene which was on display at the open day.