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.
Terrific to see this lovely and still useful historic building getting such TLC lavished on it. It’s a shame that some of our less vintage buildings like The Queen’s Hotel and the Corn Exchange, which would have so added to Abingdon’s charm, were abused in such a careless manner … and now they are about to do the same to the junction at he top of Bridge Street to no/little useful effect and to the town’s aesthetic detriment.
As I’ve mentioned here before, have you noticed that the offices of architects and developers are often in older character buildings they haven’t designed themselves?
The Abbey Buildings were saved from demolition in the 1940s and lovingly restored and made usable by volunteers who raised the necessary funds and did much of the work themselves. 60 years later they needed another major upgrade and once again it is volunteers who have put in 10 years hard work putting together the complex proposals and grant applications, seeking permissions and raising funds from a wide range of sources.
Sadly, no such committed volunteers seem to have been around to save some of the other buildings mentioned, but hopefully people will be encouraged by the Abbey Buildings example and come forward to help with future projects.
The changes to the junction at the top of Bridge Street can only make it better. At the moment it only really works for cars, anyone else can go swivel.