Sponsors for Abbey 1000 celebrations announced

More than 20 local companies were announced as sponsors of the Abbey 1000 celebrations in Bury St Edmunds, which take place this year, at a launch in the town’s Guildhall.

In excess of £60,000 of sponsorship and in-kind contributions has been raised for the celebrations from commercial companies by the organisers, Abbey 1000 C.I.C. The celebrations will be funded by the generous sponsorship, together with a Heritage Grant of £99,200 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund plus support of £50,000 from Bury St Edmunds Town Council and £31,000 from West Suffolk Council.

In Medieval times, the Abbey of St Edmund was one of the richest, largest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. People came from all over England and Europe to visit the Shrine of St Edmund and it became one of the most famous and wealthy pilgrimage locations in England, visited by royalty. The town will celebrate the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund by King Canute 1000 years ago with a year of special events, which started on St Edmund’s Day, Saturday 20 November 2021, and culminating on the Saint’s feast day in 2022 (Sunday, 20 November).

Libby Ranzetta, Chair of the Abbey 1000 C.I.C., who are coordinating the programme of events said: “Thanks to the generosity of so many local businesses and organisations we have an exciting and engaging programme of events to celebrate a thousand years of the Abbey, with something for everyone to enjoy. We are grateful to all our sponsors for their support and look forward to a wonderful few months ahead as residents and visitors alike come together to enjoy Bury’s fantastic heritage in this special year for us.”

Headline sponsors CLAAS UK, Greene King, and Treatt have each given £10,000.

Key highlights of the year are an exhibition on the Abbey at Moyse’s Hall Museum, an exhibition of manuscripts from the Abbey at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, a town centre Heritage Trail, a sculpture exhibition, travelling exhibition, a bioblitz, special anniversary tours, a concert by Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra, pilgrimages and a community day in the Abbey Gardens. To end the celebrations, there will be a Spectacle of Light in the Abbey Gardens over St Edmund’s Day weekend.

Details of all the events planned as they are announced can be found at www.abbeyofstedmund1000.co.uk.

The sponsors are:

Headline Sponsors – CLAAS UK, Greene King, and Treatt.

Ashtons Legal

Boortmalt

JM Finn

Thomas Ridley Foodservice

Glasswells

Robinson Young

Smart Garden Offices

Stow Healthcare

Armstrongs

Denny Bros

Ensors

Lacy Scott &Knight

Larkbridge

Rees Pryer

Scrutton Bland

Seamans

St Edmundsbury Wealth Management

Vertas

Whiting & Partners

Angel Hotel

Bury Developments

Old Cannon Brewery

Nethergate Wines