Time stands still
‘The detail is extraordinary. The colours. It’s just amazing up there…’
…enthused one of the team surveying the Priory’s unique English Mediaeval stained glass windows. They’d spent two hours at altitude, high above the misericords, surveying the clerestory windows. A place where time stands still.
Riding the MEWP is, apparently, quite interesting, much like being at sea, requiring constant adjustment. And for those familiar with the Priory, the high-level cobwebs are almost like fabric.
The first ascent of the day was captured on the new time lapse camera - thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund…
as was the move of the MEWP through the choir and St Giles’ Chapel, evidencing the skill of the MEWP operator, navigating faultlessly down the ramp, past the Mediaeval tiles and into the tightest of spaces, before the first ascent of the Great East Window by the Architect and Structural Engineer.
The Priory’s still open to visitors, although areas where machinery is in use are not accessible. It’s really exciting to watch the MEWP in action and to see the Development phase of Project Light and Space come to life - the result of decades of work by Priory volunteers.
And it was wonderful to welcome a group of 40 visitors from France for a guided tour during the day. For families enjoying the ‘Hunt the Monks’ Trail, there’s some good news. At the moment there are fewer monks to locate, as some are inside the MEWP exclusion zone, so the finishers’ prize - currently a chocolate egg - is even easier to claim!
The Development phase of Project Light and Space is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to conserve 8 of the irreplaceable English Mediaeval stained glass windows and improve interpretation and facilities, making the Priory accessible to all. Thank you!
