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A free Easter event for people of all ages is taking place in Pontlottyn this April.

On Saturday, April 1, there will be craft activities and an Easter egg hunt for children – and adults who can’t resist – at St Tyfaelog church.

Father Darren Lynch, the curate of St Tyfaelog, is organising the event along with other members of the church and told Caerphilly Observer more about the event. 

“I’m hoping it’ll just be a good community day. Families mixing, people chatting with each other,” said Fr Darren. 

“Anybody’s free to come, from sort of age two to 200,” he joked.

The event will be held from 10am to 2pm and is set to include craft activities in the church hall, where participants can make cards, palm crosses or Easter wreaths.

Fr Darren explained more about the Easter wreath craft-making and said: “It’s a bit like an Easter bonnet but you make a wreath instead.

“What we’ll do here is use eggs and bunnies and lots of bright colours,” he added. 

At the halfway point there’ll be an Easter egg hunt. Fr Darren’s “ambitious” plan is to hide clues in numbered pods from Kinder eggs around the grounds of the church – it will be inside if the weather is poor. 

There’ll be photo clues or riddles inside each one and the participants will have to work together to find the eventual treasure trove – which will be a yummy bunch of chocolate eggs. 

The point of the event is to celebrate Easter and to show the community that the church is a place for them to use. 

“It’s just to show people that we’re here,” said Fr Darren, “if we get 300 people – great. If I get three, I’ll still run it.”

There are naturally some religious elements added to the event, some Christian music and Fr Darren on hand for spiritual support but more than anything it’s a good opportunity to break down barriers, according to Fr Darren.

“I think church buildings for a lot of people can be really intimidating,” he said.

“It’s just a building,” he explained, “and I’m going to show people that yes, it’s the Lord’s house absolutely, but he’s everywhere. Come on in. Have a look around. It’s here for you.” 

Tea, coffee, juice and biscuits will be served and people can get involved as much or as little as they want. 

“It’s a couple of hours out of the house,” added Fr Darren, “Kids get to have a bit of fun with an Easter egg hunt and who knows maybe, just maybe, they’ll find they quite like coming to church.” 

If possible, people who wish to attend should contact the Parish of Pontlottyn and Fochriw on Twitter or Facebook so the church can plan for numbers. 

St Tyfaelog Church, which was built in the early 1860s, is part of the Church of Wales and is located on 8 Church Street, Pontlottyn.