For nearly 130 years God has called men (and some women) to serve Him in this place, in a life of prayer and service. In that time more than 80 monks and one nun have been life- professed, but the Community has never been large. Today, after some years without new vocations or the arrival of new members, it consists of five of us, with an average age of more than 70 years.

In recent years it has been increasingly difficult to maintain the level of our hospitality, but the necessity of going into lockdown because of Covid early in 2020 has given us some respite, and we have continued to protect ourselves and those who would normally come to the Abbey by not having retreatants or congregations. 

Throughout this time we have been able to maintain our primary vocation of prayer and worship, but the need for changes in our way of life has become apparent, and we need to seek the will of God for our future, taking account of our diminished number, advancing ages and individual health issues.

We are therefore undertaking a process of discernment under the guidance of our Bishop Visitor and, with the recurrent emergence of new Covid variants, we shall continue to be in lockdown for as long as is necessary for the protection of all concerned.

We hope to be able to make some decisions before long, but in the meantime, we assure you of our continuing prayers and thank you for your faithful friendship and support. We also ask for your patient understanding, and that you join us in prayer for the way ahead.

God bless us all. Prayerfully yours,

Abbot Giles, Prior Andrew, Dom Anselm, Dom Timothy, and Dom Anthony.