The Abbey of St Edmund Past, Present and Future

With the countdown on to 1000 years since the foundation of The Abbey of St Edmund in 2020, residents have the chance to discover more about its past, present and future.

The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership is set to reveal the findings of two studies and ideas for the potential projects that may follow, at a one day conference next month.

The Heritage Partnership commissioned two studies last year – a Heritage Assessment which gathered together all the historical and archaeological information about the Abbey in one place for the first time, and a Conservation Plan which will help shape its future.

Reverend Canon Matthew Vernon, Chairman of the Heritage Partnership, said: “St Edmund and the Abbey established in his honour after he was martyred are central to our understanding of the religious and historical importance of Bury St Edmunds not just nationally but internationally including its role as the birthplace of Magna Carta in establishing the freedoms that are now ingrained in modern democracy.

“But there’s so much of the Abbey story that hasn’t been fully told or appreciated, and there is also so much that can be done not only to preserve what we have left of the Abbey, but also to interpret and tell its story to future generations.

“That is why these studies, which were funded jointly by Historic England and St Edmundsbury Borough Council, are so important and why we are looking forward to sharing their findings and our ideas for the future next month.

“Of course one question that is constantly being asked is whether St Edmund himself is buried under the site of the old tennis courts. While there is great excitement at this possibility, nothing can or indeed should take place without careful research, including scans across the whole area, and of course all the necessary statutory permissions that would be required.”

Cllr Robert Everitt, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities at St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: “Residents in and around Bury St Edmunds are proud of the area’s history and identity and rightly so. The St Edmund’s Day celebrations that take place around the town each November are growing in stature every year. I’m looking forward to the Heritage Partnership sharing the fascinating results of these two studies as well as insights into various potential projects that we hope will follow, at the Past, Present and Future conference in January.”

The Abbey of St Edmund Past, Present and Future one day conference is supported by the University of East Anglia. It takes place on Saturday 26 January from 10am to 4pm at St Edmundsbury Cathedral and will include an open discussion of people’s views on the importance of the various potential projects for the Abbey site as well as how they could be funded and delivered.

Places are limited. Tickets cost £20 (£10 for students, under 25s and unemployed) and include lunch. The charge is to cover the costs of the event. They can be bought at www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/whats-on/event/4548/the-abbey-of-st-edmund-past,-present-and-future

A summary booklet will be available at the conference. Both studies and the booklet will be published online after the event. More details will be announced nearer the time.

The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership is led by St Edmundsbury Cathedral in collaboration with St Edmundsbury Borough Council and nearly 20 other local and regional public, private and voluntary organisations.