A CHAPEL is to go green in a bid to conserve energy and cut down on its carbon emissions.
Capel y Groes, the Welsh language Methodist Chapel in Powell Road, Wrexham, has enlisted the advice of the County Borough Council to help lessen its energy consumption.
And on Monday a group of volunteers gathered to replace more than 60 light bulbs in the chapel with long-life, energy-efficient bulbs.
Glyn Williams, secretary of Capel y Groes explained: 'Respecting and conserving God's earth is a common theme of many sermons.
'At Capel y Groes we've decided to respond in practical as well as spiritual terms, and following a survey by the local council's energy efficiency officer and chapel member, Geraint Wyn Jones, we're now taking steps to ensure we're greener and more responsible when it comes to looking after the environment.
'Replacing the bulbs will be a mammoth task which will include erecting scaffolding within the chapel building and I'm very grateful to the small group of volunteers who have agreed to undertake the work, under Geraint's supervision.'
The total cost of the light bulb overhaul is estimated to be around £500, but officials at Capel y Groes are hoping the initial outlay will be saved in lower electricity bills in under five years.
These bulbs will reduce the electricity demand of the chapel from 5.5kW to 1.2kW, resulting in 550kg less CO2 being annually emitted into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.
Officials will also be looking at other aspects of the chapel building in the future in a bid to continue their energy efficiency drive.
Capel y Groes' Minister, the Rev Dr Elfed ap Nefydd Roberts, retired in September last year. The Rev Robat Parry has been appointed as his successor and will begin his ministry in July 2005.
