Introducing Bev Gulley, a volunteer at Margam Abbey Church.
As soon as we met Bev, we could tell how passionate she is about Margam Abbey and its rich history. She was an absolute delight to talk to, and we learned so much from her about this historic site and how glimpses of the past still appear to this day through ghostly apparitions…
In her own words, find out why Bev decided to volunteer at Margam Abbey Church, and why she’ll always find her way back to Neath Port Talbot.
“Margam Abbey Church is an amazing building. It was the richest abbey in Wales in its time, and is the only nave of a Cistercian abbey in Wales still in use as a church.
I have a lot of history with this place. I was christened here, I came to Sunday School here, and I worshipped here.
I left Port Talbot when I was nineteen years old, but a part of me stayed behind, and I always knew I would come back. It wasn’t until I was forty-three that I came back to the area, and I started volunteering here.
History has always fascinated me, and now I can sit here surrounded by so much of it and devote my time to research. I love volunteering here because I get to talk to so many interesting people and teach them about our fascinating corner of the world.
Margam Abbey Church is a jewel in the crown of Port Talbot, and it’s such a wonderful benefit to the area.
You can take the girl out of Port Talbot, but you can’t take Port Talbot out of the girl! This is my home, and I love it. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I wouldn’t leave! The people make the place – it’s a kinship community that we have here. We all care about each other. I feel like Port Talbot gives a warm hug to visitors and residents alike – it’s our town, and we love it!”