Location : Abbeytown
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 177508
On Friday afternoon 9th June 2006, local youths set fire to Holme Cultram Abbey in the village of Abbeytown.
The fabric in the vestry was the first to go up in flames. This then spread very quickly to the roof timbers, and in about an hour the whole roof had collapsed into the aisle and pews.
The organ, which was quite large was totally destroyed. Most of the stained glass survived.
Clergy at Holme Cultram in Cumbria, which was built in 1158 and gave its name to nearby Abbeytown, said the country had lost "an ecclesiastical gem" as well as irreplaceable records dating back to medieval times.
Aerial photos by Simon Ledingham, other photographs by Mike Faulkner.
See a short movie of the Abbey as it was before the fire. [To view this requires a broadband connection and the flash player].
Or for dialup - see a smaller movie. This requires the 'realtime' player. [Download the free Real Media player]
| If you would like to make any donations to Holme Cultram Abbey, they will be gratefully received.
Please make cheques payable to Holme Cultram Abbey PCC, and send to:
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Update 24 Nov 2006 :
The Abbey church has been cleared of debris for some time now. The windows boarded up and the tops of the walls made waterproof. It seems a matter of time now as to when final decisions are made with regards to starting the renovation project. As they say " the mills of God roll slowly" !!!
There was a local funeral held in the Abbey last Thursday attended by around 350 /400 people.
Update Oct 2007 - Feb 2008 :
In January 2008, work at last began on the restoration of the fire-damaged church. There was a countdown before a gigantic crane lifted 15 oak roof trusses into place, each weighing 1.8 tonnes.
A new roof is being installed.
Early Oct 2007. Scaffolding being erected to support a complete top floor to allow total access
for work on rebuilding the whole roof.
One of the existing 30 corbels
Shows extent of the fire, right up to the bell housings.
Top floor complete.
Sunrise over the village - 12th Dec 2007
8th Jan 2008. Oak roof trusses arriving, 15 in all, each one is 9 Meters long and 3 Meters high
and weighs 1.6 tons approximately.
Being lowered into place
Fine tuning needed
The Jigsaw Begins.
Truss being hoisted to the roof
The village school turned out on Friday 11th Jan to witness the final trusses being placed
The final truss being lower into position.
All roof trusses in place.
20 Feb 2008 - the church is finally weather-proof again.
progress at April 23 2008
Click play to see a short video
Aerial photos and video by Simon Ledingham, other photographs by Mike Faulkner.
Local News :
9th June 2006 - Fire damages 900-year-old church - BBC News
10th June 2006 - Historic abbey gutted by fire - Times and Star
11th June 2006 - Abbeytown blaze: youth charged - Times and Star
12th June 2006 - Youth remanded over church blaze - BBC News
16th June 2006 - Gutted: Village meets to discuss future of its 12th-century jewel - Cumberland News
10th July 2006 - Abbey fire repairs could cost £3m - BBC News
8th Nov 2006 - Abbey fire youth gets four years - News and Star
9th Nov 2006 - Abbey roof may be ‘restored in a year’ - News and Star
10th Nov 2006 - Global help to restore abbey - Cumberland News - £38,000 raised so far
Arsonist Shane Walker was sentenced to four years in jail on November 7th 2006 for starting the blaze which
destroyed the historic abbey.
The Carlisle Crown Court judge John Phillips told the 17-year-old: “Not only have you destroyed a national treasure – you have also severely damaged an entire community.”
Walker had earlier pleaded guilty to stealing £5 from a collection box at Holme Cultram Abbey and recklessly starting the fire that destroyed the abbey on June 9. See link below for more on this.
18th Jan 2008 - New abbey takes shape - Cumberland News
Other Related links :
- Fire at Holm Cultram Abbey - from Holme St Cuthbert History Group
See a short movie of the Abbey as it was before the fire. [To view this requires a broadband connection and the flash player].
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