Chair's update: January

Tom Walker, Chair

Happy New Year to all our readers, visitors and supporters. Thank you for all the support last year. We concluded 2022 with a final community open day stall in early December just before the very cold weather, and a couple of tours. On New Year's Day, Abney ecology expert Russell Miller gave his annual tour. If you missed it in 2023 then fingers crossed he will do it again next year on 1st January 2024.

Looking ahead, 2023 will see the completion of the National Lottery Heritage Fund programme of restoration works. The Church Street entrance will have been completely remodelled and be fully accessible to all; the chapel will be a venue for events; and there will be new community facilities and a cafe at the High Street entrance. There are no precise timings yet but work progresses on site with visible progress each week. Most regular visitors will know that both the High Street and Church Street entrances are open.

As well as the physical improvements, the completion of the restoration will see two years worth of "activities" which the Trust will have a major role in delivering working with the Council. There will be much more detail on this later in the year but it will bring about a year of change for how we work and operate. For the first time in two years we will have space where we can be on site and engage with visitors.

Please keep supporting us – the cost of living crisis has bitten hard and we need to continue to raise funds this year to cover the costs and support our staff to manage the impacts. You can donate here, which also means we get Gift Aid where chosen, boosting the impact of your donation.

Finally, the snow makes Abney quite beautiful and serene. There are many photographs but these drone shots (via Twitter) capture the magical dawn from a different angle.