An important day in the history of Welsh Chapels is taking place with the reopening of Hen Gapel Llwynrhydowen .

The reopening comes after a £267,000 restoration and interpretation programme by Addoldai Cymru, the Welsh Religious Buildings Trust.

The small chapel in the heart of Ceredigion has an important place in the social, religious and political history of Wales.

The Grade II listed building has now been repaired and consolidated and is ready for a new phase in its life, as a centre for activities for the local community.

Broadcaster Huw Edwards, Patron of Addoldai Cymru, and Cyfeillion yr Hen Gapel (Friends of Hen Gapel) will be joined by local dignitaries and local people for the official re-opening at 6.45pm, Friday, July 10.

The reopening takes place almost 140 years after the events that catapulted the Unitarian chapel into the newspaper headlines – the congregation were locked out of the chapel and cemetery for disobeying their Tory landlord.

The bitter, three-year lock out ended in triumph when the key was returned to the congregation – a ceremony that will be repeated this July when Huw Edwards hands the key back again to minister Wyn Thomas.

This story is now being interpreted through digital and traditional presentations with the support of The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.