Contract Signed for the £2.5 Million Renovation of Launde Abbey
Latest total:
19th November 2009
£881,872
visit savelaundeabbey.co.uk
Published: 19/11/2009
On Thursday 16th October, The Right Reverend Tim Stevens Bishop of Leicester signed the official contract with WW Brown and Sons of Market Harborough for the year long renovation and refurbishment of Launde Abbey Bishop Tim said, “I am delighted to be signing the contract that signifies the start of the renovation of Launde Abbey. This project means a great deal to me and though I am aware that we still have to raise a considerable sum of money the support shown so far gives us all confidence this will be achieved. I would like to thank Ian Neale with all his project management expertise and building industry experience for taking on the project management role on a voluntary basis. I am also pleased that a long established local company with an understanding of the ethos of Launde have been selected to carry out this work.”
Ian Neale project manager for the Launde Abbey renovation works is pleased to be working with W W Brown and Sons, “Browns put in a very competitive tender for this work and subsequently have worked with us to help to reduce the overall budget. With fundraising still continuing to ensure the long term future of the Abbey this help from W W Brown is invaluable.”
W W Brown and Sonshave experience of working at Launde Abbey having recently carried out works on the stable block and carefully moved the Oxford and Cambridge Hermitage to its new site. This understanding of and sympathy towards the work of the Abbey is added bonus to them winning this high profile work, particularly as the Abbey will remain open throughout the project.
Mark Brown is rightly proud of the heritage of the family business that was established in 1900, “we pride ourselves on personal service with the family directly involved. As well as our own highly skilled employees who will be carrying out the general building works we will be using a variety of specialist firms. As with all Listed, historic buildings the work will be carried out to the highest possible standards.
The building work is now due to commence in November, while the fundraising teams are working as hard as ever to make certain their target of £1 million is achieved before Christmas.
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The Synod of the Diocese of Leicester has approved the project to save Launde Abbey. Fundraising continues with the aim of reaching £1million by the end of the year.
In the 2 hour meeting held in Leicester Cathedral the Synod overwhelmingly supported the proposal from the trustees of Launde Abbey to begin the building work. Synod took a step of faith that the public appeal will raise the full £1 million by Christmas, and gave their backing to ensure this achievement.
A remarkable £150,000 has been donated during a nine day cycle of prayer which ended on 9th September. This brings the total donated close to the £800,000 mark and has demonstrated to the trustees of the Abbey and the Synod that there is a public will to save the historic retreat for future generations.
The Synod decision is also based on a robust business plan that will ensure the independence and self funding of Launde Abbey in the long term. The news means that essential renovations to bring the building up to health and safety standards and to enhance the facilities can go ahead, while fundraising continues.
Bishop of Leicester, The Rt. Revd. Tim Stevens is delighted with this news, “We have received tremendous support from within the Church of England and from individuals and companies in the wider community. Gaining the approval of the Synod at this stage is a big thank you for those who have worked so hard to generate the funds needed, and brings the target into sight. With just over £200,000 still needed we must continue to push forward to ensure we can complete the work to secure the long term future of this historic and beautiful retreat.”
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I am very conscious that a number of people have asked me how we might support Launde Abbey in prayer as we move towards the time in early September when the crucial meetings of the Trustees, Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod are held which will decide the way forward.
It is of course important that the future of Launde Abbey is undergirded by the prayers of the whole diocese at this critical time. I am writing therefore to invite you to join me in some or all of the following:
1. Pilgrimage to Launde – On Sunday August 30th I shall make my own Pilgrimage to Launde Abbey with a small group of colleagues, walking from Bishop’s Lodge to Launde. I would be delighted if you could make you own pilgrimage to Launde, by whatever means possible, arriving for 3.30pm where together we will have an act of worship, praying for Launde’s future.
2. Night vigil of prayer – Overnight on Sunday August 30th I shall stay at Launde Abbey and take part in a night of prayer for Launde. If you feel able to join me for part or all of the night then do please be in touch with the Warden.
3. Prayer each day – To follow on from the all night prayer vigil, I am inviting everyone in the diocese to make time every day from September 1st to September 9th to pray for Launde Abbey. Congregations might like to focus their intercessions on Launde Abbey during this period and especially on Sunday September 6th. I enclose some prayer intentions that you might like to use, and a copy of the Launde Abbey prayer.
If you are one of those who value Launde and its life and work, and who want to see its future secured, please do join me in these prayers, and if possible in person at Launde so that we can ensure that all our deciding is surrounded by our attention to God’s purpose for us.
With warmest good wishes,
As ever,
Bishop Tim
Prayer intentions for Launde Abbey, September 1st – 9th 2009
Sept 1 Give thanks for Launde Abbey and its ministry over the last 51 years and to seek God’s will for its future
Sept 2 Pray for the role of Launde Abbey in offering Christian hospitality, openness and pastoral care to all people in today’s society
Sept 3 Pray for redevelopment plans which will secure Launde Abbey future and for the Launde Abbey Management Committee, chaired by the Revd Richard Brand, as it meets today at 6.30pm to finalise these plans
Sept 4 Pray for Launde Abbey as it seeks to develop as a place of encounter, peace and stillness in today’s increasingly busy world
Sept 5 Pray for those who have given generously to Launde Abbey over the years, especially during the recent appeal, and for those still considering whether they can give.
Sept 6 As Christians gather in churches throughout the diocese today, we pray for the future of Launde Abbey as our Diocesan retreat house, for the opportunities for it to grow and develop, and for our own use of it as a place of prayer, reflection and silence.
Sept 7 For the Launde Abbey Trustees meeting at 4:00pm today, that they might know of God’s will as they make a decision whether to proceed with the redevelopment.
Sept 8 For openness to God and the future God calls us into as the Bishop’s Council, meeting today at 12:00pm, considers the plans for Launde Abbey and decides if it can support the proposal
Sept 9 For discernment and willingness to place our trust in God as the Diocesan Synod, meeting at 7:00pm, receives the position of the Trustees and Bishop’s Council.
The Launde Prayer
Father,
Here may the faithful find salvation
and the careless be awakened;
Here may the doubting find faith
and the anxious be encouraged;
Here may the tempted find help
and the sorrowful comfort;
Here may the weary find rest
and the strong be renewed;
Here may the aged find consolation
and the young be inspired;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Latest News
Warden Tim Blewett was the guest on BBC Radio Leicester's Breakfast Show this morning, where he spoke to presenter Ben Jackson about Launde's recent nomination for an an East Midlands Enjoy England Excellence Award...
...It's the third year running that Launde's been shortlisted for the Tourism Experience award, after winning the Silver Award in 2007 and then the Bronze in 2008.
The Tourism Experience Award recognises the outstanding hotels, historic buildings, festivals and places that are making the East Midlands a popular destination for people from all corners of the UK. Tim is delighted about the nomination:
"Being in the running for the Enjoy England Excellence award is great news. It affirms that Launde can consistently deliver a fantastic level of service and hospitality to its visitors. The Abbey is very special for many people; a place of peace and tranquility where guests can feel cared for, where they are valued, supported, listened to, and where they can enjoy the beatiful surroundings, put their feet up and spend time time thinking about where they are in themselves. The nomination confirms yet again that we have something to be proud of in Launde Abbey."
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Three intrepid vicars used pedal power to make the 100 mile journey from Westminster Abbey to Launde Abbey in one day raising £8000 for our campaign.
On June 10th the cycling trio Rev. Paul Bryer, Rev Jeremey Follet and Rev Steve Silvester made the epic journey from London to Launde encouraged by Rev. Chris Bull who was on hand in a support vehicle in case of untoward disaster!
Rev Paul Bryer Vicar of St Paul's Dorking commented "Over the past 18 years we have met together at Launde on over 50 occasions and have all come to love the Abbey as a place of solace and refreshment. We wanted to do our bit to help to secure Launde for future generations so I came up with the idea of cycling there for our next retreat!'
Well done to all of them on their fantastic achievement
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Launde Abbey has been short listed for the third year running for the East Midlands Enjoy England Excellence Awards Tourism Experience Category...
In 2007 Launde won the Silver Award and then last year won the Bronze Award against a growing number of competitors (more than 40 ‘tourism’ competitors entered in 2008).
We have been short listed for the Tourism Experience Award which “recognizes the outstanding tourism businesses that help make the East Midlands so attractive to visitors” (Ruth Hyde, Tourism Director, East Midlands Tourism). Being short listed affirms the fact that Launde offers great service and outstanding hospitality thanks to the dedication and hard work of all the staff here as well as showing Launde’s standing against its ‘secular’ peers from across the tourism sector – and that as a Retreat House and as a successful business – we offer something special which is of huge importance to many. It confirms yet again that we have something to be proud of in Launde Abbey.
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Launde's Spring Fair was held at the end of May and although final totals are not yet in we believe that the amount raised over the three days and what the Friends of Launde raised on the Monday was about £25,000 which is amazing. I also believe that we had about 2500 people come to the Flower Festival and Spring Fair over the three days. It was a truly amazing number!
Warden, Tim Blewett managed to walk somewhere between 75 and 80 miles on his 24 hour sponsored walk managing to do a live interview while walking on BBC Radio Leicester.
The BBC visited Launde on 21/05/09 to find out more about the Save Launde Abbey campaign - why the retreat is so valued, its important role in the region, and what kind of work the building needs to have completed in order to stay open. Three separate films were broadcast on the East Midlands Today programme on the lunchtime, 6.30pm and 10.25pm news bulletins, featuring the Bishop of Leicester and Launde Abbey's Warden, Tim Blewett.
As you wind your way through drifting English countryside, down peaceful lanes, you find your soul begin to awaken. Your mobile signal disappears almost like a sign that tranquility lies beyond. Ancient, majestic trees guide you off the lanes to a field track leading to the Abbey.
A spiritual silence surrounds Launde Abbey, a twelfth century retreat where modern life flows away leaving you wide open to experience pure, inspiring enlightenment, and a silence that seems to lift your entire being from the moment you arrive.
Without your help, Launde Abbey will no longer be able to provide this kind of retreat for people that desperately need our support.
How my money will help
Launde Abbey is self sufficient in its day-to-day running. Enough income is generated from the fees that we receive from people staying at the Abbey and using our services to maintain its usual operation.
Due to a number of external factors such as Health and Safety legislation, major renovation work needs to be undertaken to the Main House, at cost £2.5million. We have already secured £1.5million of what is needed, but if the shortfall is not forthcoming between now and September Launde Abbey will be forced to close.
The renovation work will include:
• Restoring the stonework of the Tudor-Elizabethan Main House;
• Renewing the services (electrics, heating and water);
• Creating disabled access throughout the Abbey on the ground and first floor;
• Improving the meeting and counselling rooms;
• Providing new and improved dining facilities and kitchen;
• Bringing the bedrooms up to modern standards;
• Improving the office facilities.
Please help us stop this wonderful building being closed by donating whatever you can to our cause.
Voices of support
"In the relentless pace and noise of modern life, it is all too easy to lose sight of our inner selves and our connection with God. Retreat houses offer a tranquil environment where we can pause and pray, finding spiritual nourishment in our otherwise hectic world.
"Unfortunately, retreat houses are disappearing at an alarming rate. Launde Abbey is one of the finest we have, set in the glorious countryside of Leicestershire, and must be preserved. Over the years its buildings and surroundings have provided thousands of people a peaceful atmosphere in which to be silent and prayerful.
"Launde Abbey stands firmly in the Christian tradition but welcomes everyone regardless of faith or religious tradition. It is a place of prayer where countless people - myself included - have benefited from being able to spend time in retreat. Please join me in helping to preserve Launde Abbey for future generations."
Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.
"Launde Abbey has been an oasis of peace, tranquillity, prayer and renewal for thousands of people over the last fifty years. In challenging times, when many people's lives feel precarious, the beauty of this setting and its open welcome to all who need some space and time apart is a priceless gift. Please help us to preserve it."
Rt Reverend Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester.
For more information or to donate visit:
www.savelaundeabbey.co.uk
or go straight to
http://www.justgiving.com/laundeabbey/donate/