A New Project For The 21st Cent

There has been Christian worship on this site for 1300 years. The present Abbey was consecrated in 1121 by the Bishop of Worcester, at which time the Abbey was in the Worcester Diocese. The Benedictine monks arrived here from Cranborne, Dorset in 1102. Since that time, the buildings have been changed considerably, particularly in the 16th century when the Dissolution of the Monasteries took place. The townsfolk then saved the Abbey from ruin by buying it for £453 and it remains their parish church. The Nave, Transepts, Tower, and Choir remain intact as originally built, and the fabric has been lovingly cared for over the centuries. In the second half of the 1990’s, the roofs of the several chapels around the Ambulatory were restored; and in 2002 the Pinnacles at the West End were made secure and water-tight. 2003/4 saw the complete restoration of the 17th century Great West Window and its 19th century stained glass. Together, this work cost in the region of £0.35m.

The Abbey’s unique Norman tower required essential re-leading work and this work was completed at the end of 2006. The walls of the Tower will then be subject to some stone replacement and skilful repair to other stones vulnerable to the weather, particularly to the West and South sides. Scaffolding, materials, and the expertise of craftsmen extending work until 2010 is estimated to cost in the region of £1.25m.

The famous Tower, the symbol of the ancient town of Tewkesbury, will need to be made secure and safe from rain penetration, and attention has to be given to the walls of the North and South Transepts. The costs for this work will require funding up to £0.5m.

Whilst this scheduled work is being undertaken, attention has to be given to new regulations which mean creating greater access for all our visitors which shall include enabling people with special needs to experience those parts of the Abbey presently denied them. We wish to respond to modern demands and regulations and to offer a unique glance into mediaeval structures in safety for young, not so young, and for those who require especial help.  New ramp access in the nave and to the Quire was completed in 2008.  Since 2002, and until all this work is complete, the Abbey has to find £1.25m.