WYMONDHAM ABBEY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

‘THE ABBEY EXPERIENCE’

WHAT IS OUR VISION? 

To maintain, conserve and enhance the Abbey, so that it is welcoming and accessible to everyone; that they may interpret and engage with the past, find peace and inspiration in its present and ensure its place in the community’s future

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THE PROJECT? 

A. To open up the Abbey and environs to a broader audience, inspiring participation and engagement;
B. To conserve and interpret the Abbey’s heritage and explain its continuing influence on the community;
C. To provide a dynamic learning experience for all ages and abilities.

HOW WILL THE AIMS BE ACHIEVED?

 

  1. Interpretation of the Abbey, archive and collections and its environs to meet the needs of learners and the public;
  2. Revealing the hidden archive and collections to the public;
  3. Creation of new learning, events and activities programme and involvement of volunteers;
  4. Opening up and conserving the Abbey and its environs including the Priory ruins;
  5. Creating better learning facilities, display facilities, research facilities and visitor facilities;
  6. Working in partnership with other organisations.

 

SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS IN THE CURRENT APPLICATION TO THE HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND

  • Conservation and bringing back into use of ruined St Margaret’s Chapel as a joint archive reading room, schools area, events room and choir vestry.
  • Extension to south side to provide exhibition space for archives, further schools/events space in exhibition area, toilets, small kitchen and priests/sacristy room.
  • Improvements to Muniments room to provide better storage facilities for archive and collections.
  • Better storage/conservation/cataloguing for archive and collections.
  • Removal of ugly temporary vestry in South Aisle, revealing monuments in this area.
  • Moving of shop from West Doors and re-opening processional route.
  • Re-opening of visitor route creating links with ruined Monk’s Tower, St Margaret’s Chapel and North Aisle.
  • Bridge linking the Priory ruins in the churchyard with those in the Abbey Meadows.
  • New interpretation throughout, linking different types of heritage and aimed at different audiences.
  • New programmes for schools and formal learners, supported by trained volunteers.
  • Increased capacity for new member of staff to market and implement programmes and build partnerships.
  • Development of volunteering activity with additional training and recruiting of a larger, more diverse, group of volunteers.
  • Training of volunteers in specialist skills relating to the management and care of collections.
  • Support of Wymondham and South Norfolk tourism, economy and sense of place and identity, during a period of substantial population growth.