The newly-restored medieval church in Llangwm, site of a lottery-funded tapestry telling the story of the village’s Flemish founders, is about to play host to a series of lunchtime concerts through the winter months.

Music at Lunchtime kicks off at 1 pm on Sunday, December 3, in St. Jerome’s Church, Llangwm, with A Medieval Christmas, with mulled wine, mince pies and entertainment by the early music group La Volta.

For the team behind the restoration project, Heritage Llangwm, saving St. Jerome’s turned out to be just the beginning.

They turned the church from a cold, dark, damp-ridden building facing further damage from the elements into a warm, bright environment that’s already hosted music and other events.

It’s also now host to the remarkable five-metre-long tapestry, the Talking Tapestry of Langum (using the village’s historic name), drawn by local schoolchildren and stitched by local women.

But, although one problem was solved by the refurbishment of the church, another was created by the extra bills resulting from the display of the tapestry and other activities.

Project leader Pam Hunt points out that St. Jerome’s was the first medieval church in Wales to install eco-friendly underfloor central heating.

“That may sound a contradiction in terms,” she said “state-of-the-art technology in a medieval building, but it makes the church a delight in these cold winter months - as do the new padded chairs which have replaced the pews.

“But although it’s far cheaper to run per hour, we have it on all day throughout the winter.

“We also have to cover the cost of broadband so that visitors can download the app that takes them through the story portrayed in the tapestry, plus we’re also planning to host internet sessions for local people who may for example want to learn how to talk online to their grandkids.”

The Heritage Llangwm team and its community-based offshoot, the Friends of St. Jerome’s has already raised enough money through tapestry merchandise sales, visits and special events to hand the church a cheque covering more than half the extra cost, with more to come.

As for the concerts, there’ll be six, starting with A Medieval Christmas on December 3, where merchandise celebrating the tapestry - mugs, cards and a professionally-made DVD of the Heritage Llangwm project - will also be on sale.

All the concerts have now attracted local sponsors: Dental Excellence of Pembroke are kindly supporting A Medieval Christmas, while the second, the delightful Cwm Cerwyn Ensembles on January 14, is sponsored by Great Nash Farm holiday accommodation.

Other concerts in the series are the guitarist John Rodge on January 28, sponsored by Redkite Solicitors; the folk, blues and jazz aficionado John Roach on February 11, sponsored, appropriately by Evans Roach Estate Agents, Mike Chant on February 25, with the support of Emrys Inker and finally on March 11, Two Pianos featuring Sam Howley and Seimon Morris, sponsored by the Cottage Inn, Llangwm.

The full programme of concerts can be found online at www.heritagellangwm.org.uk/concerts. Tickets are £5 (£3 for children), or £25 for the series, and are available on the website, in Llangwm Village Shop or from Pam Hunt on 01437 899966.