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A community group banished from the chapel where they had been based for three years because they ‘weren’t Christian’ has found a new home, thanks to a National Lottery grant.

Layton Jones and partner Gemma Baker, had run their not-for-profit Salvaged Creations Wales out of Markham Congregational Chapel, where they ran a regular youth club and a host of other community-based activities.

However, a run-in with Reverend Nick Holloway, who came to the chapel two years ago, saw the organisation’s future put at risk.

In February this year, a letter from Rev Holloway appeared out of the blue telling the group they had to leave.

According to Layton, a subsequent meeting descended into a shouting match in which Rev Holloway allegedly said he and Gemma would be ‘going to hell’ as they weren’t married.

When Caerphilly Observer reported this back in May, there was an outpouring of support for Salvaged Creations Wales.

Rev Holloway has not responded to previous attempts by us to contact him.

Layton and Gemma are now looking to put the row behind them thanks to a £16,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The money ensures their popular youth club can continue to run for at least two years from its new base at Markham Miners Welfare Scheme on Abernant Road.

Layton thanked the Miners Welfare Scheme and said: “We’re so pleased we can keep the youth club in Markham and we’re planning to carry on with everything else we do at other places.”

The new youth club will be back at Markham Miners Welfare Scheme after the school holidays on September 5, but before then, Salvaged Creations Wales will be holding various play sessions for children – including one this Wednesday at Markham Leisure Centre.

Other groups and activities it runs will now be based at other community spaces, such as Libanus Lifestyle in Blackwood. Full details can be found online.