Fans flock to Gavin and Stacey’s wedding church

A church where two Gavin and Stacey scenes were filmed has seen a “flurry” of visitors ahead of the final episode.

St Cattwg’s Church in Llanmaes, Vale of Glamorgan, was where Gavin and Stacey got married in series one.

It is also where the sitcom’s vicar Father Chris, played by William Thomas, demanded that his congregation tell him about their favourite sandwiches.

Since Gavin & Stacey first aired 17 years ago the church has become a popular destination for fans from all over the UK, and many have signed the visitor book.

“They’ll write ‘what’s occurring’ or that it’s a ‘lush’ church,” said church warden Jeff Robinson.

Mr Robinson, 82, said the Gavin and Stacey cast and crew used St Cattwg’s for two days of filming.

The 800-year-old church has no toilet, but Mr Robinson did not want to see the team inconvenienced.

“The BBC asked me if there was a toilet they could use while filming but there isn’t one at the church, so I told them they could use the toilets at my house,” he said.

“They’d just finished filming the wedding scene and everyone decided to use the loo at the same time, the entire wedding party all dressed in their hats and wedding clothes.”

“People must have thought we were holding a wedding reception,” he added.

“It was an extraordinary two days.”

Mr Robinson has been the church warden at St Cattwg’s, which was built in 1234, for 25 years.

He said despite the church’s long history, it has become best known for Gavin and Stacey.

“It has been busier again recently because of the Christmas special. One couple just drove from Guildford because they wanted to visit the church where Gavin and Stacey married and this happens frequently,” he said.

“It’s now most famous for an event that didn’t happen – a TV wedding.

“When you think of all the real weddings that have happened here over the years.”

Mr Robinson said the sandwich episode – where Father Chris demands that the main characters tell him about their favourite sandwiches – was also “frequently mentioned in the visitors’ book”.

One entry, from people who said they drove for three hours, says “I like the tunas” – in a nod to Doris.

While another entry, by a couple from Dudley, says: “Love a good cheese and onion sandwich.”

Mr Robinson said Joanna Page, who played Stacey, has visited the church herself in recent years to take photographs and reminisce.

But when pushed on his favourite sandwich, Mr Robinson said: “It would have to be tuna. A tuna mayonnaise made with brown bread.”

Gavin & Stacey: The Finale airs on BBC One at 21:00 GMT on 25 December