A couple of weeks ago Gaby sent me this photo with the message: ‘Abbey Buildings slype now closed.’

A slype is a narrow, covered passage, particularly one found in a cathedral or medieval monastery. This one links Checker Walk and Thames Street.

Hoardings now surround parts of the Abbey Buildings as restoration work gets underway.

On 22 July, contractor Savvy Group announced the start of conservation and sustainability work on the Grade I listed Abbey Buildings, saying: ‘Opportunities to work on a site of such historical significance are rare, and it is a genuine privilege to play a role in preserving an important part of England’s heritage.’

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will conserve the historic buildings, improve accessibility and help secure their future as a community asset.

The Abbey Buildings Trust has appointed a Visual Arts Lead to work with local communities, schools and volunteers to create artwork inspired by the Abbey Buildings, including a large public artwork to be displayed on the site hoardings during the restoration.

It looks as though the archway linking Checker Walk and Thames Street will soon close as work begins on the major restoration and improvement of Abingdon’s historic Abbey Buildings.

There is no sign of heavy machinery on site yet, but glaziers have been at work, and three more of the Abbey windows have now been leaded with glass and their protective canvas removed.

The project is part of a major programme of improvements supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The aim is to conserve and restore the historic Abbey Buildings while making them more accessible and usable and better suited for year-round use.

It was a surprise to find the Abbey Buildings open on Saturday.

In the Long Gallery there was a black-and-white photography exhibition accompanied by a slideshow and atmospheric music. In the Undercroft, visitors could experience a Gong Bath, where people relaxed on mats while listening to gongs and other percussion.

In the Lower Hall there was a ballet and movement workshop. Outside in the garden, a carver was at work and explained that he both practises and teaches carving for therapeutic purposes. Also in the garden were quilts and colouring books.

The open day came as a surprise because I had thought work on the Abbey Buildings refurbishment was due to begin.

The photography exhibition, The Seekers, was a free exhibition by Samantha J Ratcliff, produced as part of her MA in Photography. The project explored the stories of eight people who had found ways to reorient their lives through approaches such as alternative therapies or a closer connection with nature in response to stress. It took place in the Abbey Buildings because it was seen as a place of sanctuary.

This evening, to celebrate how far the project has come and to build momentum for the year ahead, the chair of the Abingdon Abbey Buildings Project, Gregory Bensberg MBE, gave an update in the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM, and the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Rawda Jehanli. He thanked his predecessor, Bryan Brown, chairman from 2015–23, along with the trustees and supporters whose work has brought the project to this point.

Mrs Glasgow praised the Friends of Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust for the progress made, saying it was important to acknowledge how far the project has come. She highlighted the years of care, fundraising, and dedication invested in the Abbey Buildings, noting that the original founders of 1944 would be proud of what is being achieved 80 years on.

She described how, once restored, the Abbey Buildings will for the first time be fully accessible, open all year, and serve as a community hub and performance space at the heart of Abingdon. Speaking on behalf of His Majesty the King, she expressed thanks for the dedication in preserving such an important part of our heritage.

Reflecting on a recent Remembrance service, she said: “We are all called to serve – some in the military, and some to fight for our country. But even if we’re not called to fight for our country, we are called to fight for a country worth fighting for, and giving your time and talent to make something like this happen achieves that ambition for us and for Abingdon.”

Architects are already preparing the RIBA Stage 4 procurement documents, with tenders for the main repairs and upgrades due to go out in the New Year.

Gregory Bensberg outlined the works planned:

* New leaded windows in the Long Gallery (two had already been installed and authorised)

Improving access
* A platform lift between the Lower Hall and Upper Gallery
* A new staircase linking the same floors
* Level routes throughout the building
* Raised floor in the undercroft for level access
* New entrances connecting the undercroft to the theatre

A welcoming entrance
* A new glass-fronted foyer (into the undercroft and to the theatre)
* Accessible toilets
* An accessible changing area for the theatre

Improving the Unicorn Theatre
* Level floor (with a smaller front pit retained)
* Gradual raked seating with new theatre seats
* Improved fittings

Heating / environmental improvements
* Replacement of old heaters with hot – and cold – air ventilation in the theatre
* New heating across the buildings

Alongside the building works, the Trust is developing a community activity plan to ensure the restored buildings are at the heart of the Abingdon community.

Mr Bensberg said that the total project cost is £5.4 million. With the National Lottery Heritage Fund providing £4 million, the Trust needs to raise £1.4 million in match funding. Of this, £1.1 million has already been secured, leaving approximately £300,000 still to raise by the end of the year to allow the project to begin next summer and be ready by the summer of 2027.

To help reach the final target, the Trust was launching a Patrons Scheme:
* Platinum — £5,000 contribution
* Gold — £2,500 contribution
* Silver — £1,000 contribution
* Bronze — a smaller contribution (need to check if interested)

Platinum to Silver patrons will appear on a Patrons Board and be invited to special events.

People can support the project with donations of any size. For details or to donate, visit: abingdonabbeybuildings.co.uk.