Chair's update: April

Tom Walker, Chair

April is a wonderful month in Abney as it shifts from muddy brown to multi-tone green in just a few weeks. At the time of writing this it is still pretty fresh, but the daylight is back and the opening hours are extended, even if the gates are shut periodically for the building work to complete.

Like everyone else, it has been three years since we went into lockdown. Since then the Trust has been operating in a limbo of either severe Covid restrictions or the restoration works. We have managed to keep everything going through these very unusual times. We finish this year just about breaking even. Stability is around the corner. 

The latest restoration work details have been published by the contractors. The cafe provider will be confirmed shortly and we're pleased to say that a Trustee sat on the selection panel with the Council. The community facilities should be open soon - later this spring. Any regular visitor will be able to see there is still quite a lot to do.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund bid also included a two-year programme of activities as part of the restoration. The Trust will be delivering a significant amount of that. We're now recruiting someone to lead that work and our events programme. This will be a big boost to our ability to engage and do more of our work – please see below for the link, and please help us promote this role.

One thing that we are keen to do more of is our private tours. There are more details here on our webpages here but they are a wonderful chance for groups to engage with the history and ecology of Abney with a private guide.