Building Project News Update

It has been a year of great developments for our Abbey building project for which we give a great deal of thanks to all who have helped us to get this far. Phase two of the project began in March 2015 with work beginning on the demolition of the north wing of the monastery, which housed our refectory and bedroom area.After a long period of intensifying excitement and great expectation, by the first week of August of this year the north wing reconstruction of our new accommodation block in the monastery was finally finished and officially handed over to the community. There subsequently ensued a joyful ‘mass migration’ as the sisters quit their temporary accommodation in various corners of the house which they had occupied for the previous eighteen months. Our design and construction teams worked untiringly during this time to bring the new structure to a very satisfactory conclusion.There are many aspects of this wonderful new building to enjoy, including its spaciousness and sound-proofing, under-floor heating, lighting, the views of the Blackwater valley. Indeed, it is true to say that our lives have been transformed (both materially and spiritually) and consequently we are immeasurably grateful for all the effort and hard work which has brought this to pass. We would like to say a very special word of thanks to all our benefactors, the Design team, the team of builders and to all of you who supported this project in all sorts of ways. We are truly grateful.Following a brief respite, which allowed for settling in, our contractors returned in September of this year to embark on the next phase of work which includes the re-roofing of the south and west wings of the monastery, the demolition and reconstruction of the west cloister, and the refurbishment of several windows in this area of the building in accordance with conservation standards applicable to the status of the house, listed as being of important archaeological and architectural significance.We look forward to the completion of this current phase of building works by Easter 2017 when there will be further rejoicing!Photo: Sr Michelle supervising the current re-roofing of the west and south wing of the monastery.