At the start of the new year we report on the progress of the mulit-million pound project to protect the historic fabric of Bath Abbey and prepare it for useful service in the 21st century
After almost ten years of work behind the scenes, the next phase in Bath Abbey’s history is about to begin. The Footprint project is a £19.3 million programme of capital works and interpretation which will transform the abbey by repairing its historic floor, installing eco-friendly heating using energy from Bath’s hot springs and creating more space and new facilities in order to improve the church’s hospitality, worship and service to the city.
The project is called Footprint for three reasons: the abbey follows in Jesus’ footprints; it will develop new spaces for the abbey, creating a bigger footprint in the city; and it will reduce the church’s carbon footprint.
Signs of the work that is to come have already sprung up. Excavations are taking place along the south side of the building to investigate the foundations for new underground spaces. The new rooms being excavated will provide the space which will support the new Discovery Centre.
The construction of these new underground spaces is an essential part of the Footprint project and will link the historic abbey with its ‘behind-the-scenes’ areas: offices, kitchens and a new song school for the abbey’s choirs. Unlike other big churches or cathedrals, the abbey does not own a large cathedral green, precinct or any outbuildings which could easily be refurbished, which makes the project all the more challenging.
Charles Curnock, Footprint project director said: “The Prior of the abbey sold off all the land and adjacent buildings back in the 16th century. He obviously didn’t realise the abbey would be so much in demand, with more than 1,000 services of worship, concerts and events every year, attracting nearly half a million people through our doors annually.
“We urgently need more space and new facilities just to keep up with these current uses, let alone enable us to improve what we have to offer, and enable us to engage better with our visitors and the local community. Rather than adding a giant glass extension, our architects have come up with an innovative plan within restricted inner-city space, so we are going to go underground.”
In the summer of 2017, work will begin on Kingston Buildings, the row of Georgian terrace cottages beside the abbey, which currently house the abbey’s offices and also on the adjoining vaults and basements.
“The new rooms being excavated will provide the space which will support the new Discovery Centre”
Once the work in Kingston Buildings and the underground spaces is well underway the work in the abbey itself will begin. Subject to consultation with organisations such as Historic England, SPAB and the Victorian Society as well as Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Church of England authorities, the work will start in the East end of the abbey in the autumn repairing the floor, conserving the hundreds of ledger stones that comprise it, and installing environmently friendly heating and lighting.
So how will the Abbey fund this once-in-a-lifetime project? Thanks to a grant of £10.7 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and additional funds from private individuals and trusts, as well as the Abbey’s own congregation and visitors, the Abbey now only has £1 million left to raise. So ambitious and worthwhile is the project that Andrew and Christina Brownsword via their Charitable Foundation, well-known throughout Bath for their generous philanthropy, have given their support to the project. They are offering £500,000 of funding which they have asked individuals, businesses and organisations in Bath to match.
Andrew Brownsword said: “The abbey plays a vital role in the city, making a significant impact on those who live, work and visit Bath. Many people feel a connection with the abbey, whether through worship and prayer, its beautiful music or architecture, or simply by popping in for a few moments of quiet. The Footprint project is essential in ensuring the abbey is able to carry on these contributions to city life; as the city of Bath grows and changes, so must the abbey.
“We can see from the huge amount of care and work that has already gone into the first stage of the Footprint project, that this programme of change will maintain, make the most of and improve this magnificent building and its resources. We feel now is the right time to offer our support so that we can inspire other individuals, businesses and trusts to help this ground-breaking project that is much needed in order for the abbey to continue to inspire and bring lasting benefits to future generations.”
However there is still a lot of work to come. The abbey currently has over 200 volunteers, whose ages range from 18 to over 80. The abbey is aiming to develop stronger links with the local community.
Oliver Taylor, the abbey’s interpretation officer said: “Footprint goes beyond creating new spaces or innovative new technology, important though that is. For me, Footprint is about the new interpretation and activities programme that will allow the abbey to better reach out through volunteering, learning and family activity programmes.”
As a result of Footprint, the abbey will need even more volunteers. It hopes to appoint a volunteer officer shortly to recruit and train 137 new volunteers by 2020.
There are opportunities for anyone wanting to help now. If you love history, meeting new people and spending time in beautiful surroundings, you can volunteer as a welcomer, steward or guide. The abbey is looking for at least ten volunteers to look through the archives to find out more about the building’s history and the people who are commemorated in it. One project will look into the lives of those who contributed to the 17th century restoration of the abbey, using the historic Benefactors’ Book. In a link to the present a new Benefactors’ Book will record the names of contributors to the Footprint project.
Throughout this work, Bath Abbey will remain open as usual, with as little disruption as possible to visitors, worshippers and neighbouring businesses and residents.
If you would like to know more about the Footprint Project or wish to volunteer, please contact Charles Curnock on 01225 422462 or email: footprint@bathabbey.org.
Visit: bathabbey.org
Main image: an artist’s impression of the space to be created beneath Bath Abbey
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