Abbey is set to close for eight weeks

PLACE OF WORSHIP DUE TO UNDERGO ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE

HEXHAM Abbey is to close to the public for up to two months in the New Year for essential maintenance.

There has been a church on the site since the seventh century and the abbey attracts more than 120,000 visitors a year.

From January 7, a programme of work will be under way including timber and stone conservation measures and enabling works for a new boiler at a total cost of £80,000-£100,000.

“As a church council and congregation, we take our responsibility to look after Hexham’s most precious and iconic building very seriously,” said Rector of Hexham, Canon Dagmar Winter.

“Like every building, Hexham Abbey requires regular maintenance. Given its age, its scale and significance, this presents us with complex challenges.

“As we face increasing cost pressures, we had no choice but to make this difficult decision to close for a period.

“Hexham Abbey provides a unique setting for the many services, events and activities which take place daily and is a place of welcome and hospitality for the local community as well as over 120,000 visitors every year.

“By closing the abbey to the public at our quietest time in January and February we can carry out this work most quickly, safely and cost effectively, with minimum disruption and no risk to the public - and importantly reopen as soon as possible.”

The abbey will be open as normal over Christmas. During the closure in January and February, midweek and weekend services will be held in the adjacent Priory building and the exhibition, shop, café and function rooms will all remain open as usual throughout.

A new charity, Hexham Abbey Heritage Development, was launched last month to protect the building’s longterm future.

Operations manager Sally McRobie said: “This programme of works is part of our planned care of the building.

“Closure will enable these works to be planned and co-ordinated to ensure known issues do not become emergencies, and even more costly.

“Clearly, this is a financial strain and the charity aims to create new ways for people to support the heritage, arts and culture at the abbey in addition to the essential support we receive in the form of donations, legacies and grants.

“All contributions are vital to the abbey being able to carry out its ongoing work and we are extremely grateful to everyone who chooses to support this.”

Information on how individuals and organisations can support the abbey is shown on the website, hexhamabbey. org.uk, with the inaugural St Andrew’s Ceilidh on November 30 an upcoming event.

For more details, contact Sally McRobie 01434 611 903 or at sally.mcrobie@ hexhamabbey.org.uk