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To discuss holding your wedding or any event at The Monastery, contact Kate or Fran to arrange a personal welcome tour.

Call 0161 223 3211 or email Kate or Fran now.

We would love you to visit us at The Monastery! You’ll be sure of a warm welcome, and we know you’ll enjoy the time you spend with us.

For more information, click here.

Keep up to date with the amazing array of events we hold all year around.

**Please note: The Monastery will be closed to the public for the festive break from Mon 23rd of December, 2024, reopening on Thu 2nd January, 2025**

Thank You!

Firstly, we hope that everyone has had a great start to 2019!

Secondly, we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who got involved with The St. Francis Christmas Appeal last December! We can now announce that we managed to raise three thousand pounds which will go towards our funding campaign to create a heritage skills centre at The Monastery, and create a carved St Francis statue and nativity scene. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, we really appreciate your help and support! The winners of our St Francis Christmas Appeal competition have now been informed of their prizes, they are:

 

–          Afternoon Tea for Two: F. G. Irvin

–          Taste of The Monastery for Two: R. Gupta

–          Taste of The Monastery for Two: A Rathwell

–          Talk & Lunch for Two with Elaine Griffiths MBE, Monastery CEO: C. Lambrias

–          Monastery Late for Two: G. Bachhouse

 

We had a very busy December at The Monastery and had lots of fun welcoming all of our visitors and guests to a variety of different events! These events included, three Christmas Talks & Lunches hosted by our CEO Elaine Griffiths, MBE; lots of fantastic and fun Christmas parties; our monthly Health & Wellbeing Day, Purls of Wisdom and a Christmas themed edition of Chatty Crafters; a number of different Christmas concerts; our community ‘Christmas Story’ event, and our first ever Festive Afternoon Tea Day! Phew, what a busy month!

 

Our annual Christmas Story event (also known as ‘Donkey Day’) on the 16th December was our busiest yet, as we welcomed around 700 people through our doors! All of the Monastery staff and volunteers who helped on this day had an absolutely fantastic time and, if you were able to join us on the day, we hope you did too!

 

 

Insight in to The Monastery: Megan Hunter, Visitor Services & Support Officer

Megan has worked at The Monastery since January 2017, initially starting as Charity Support Officer before being promoted to Visitor Services & Support Officer in March 2018.

Megan is usually the first point of contact for visitors and clients who enter The Monastery as she manages the Welcome Desk in The Monastery’s recently finished Welcome Wing. Megan is also responsible for organising our extensive programme of Health & Wellbeing events; answering and directing phone calls; assisting with the management of our visitor Open Days, and managing visitor experience bookings such as Afternoon Teas, Talks, Tours and special events.

 

How did you get involved with The Monastery?

I started to volunteer at The Monastery after meeting Elaine [Monastery CEO] through a family friend. I really enjoyed helping out with the Open Days and shortly after starting to do this, I was offered a part-time position at The Monastery to help with fundraising research and grant applications.

 

What was your first day like at The Monastery?

 

I can remember the first time I visited the Monastery to help with their Christmas Story event, also known as ‘Donkey Day’.  It was nice to be invited to help on this day because the ‘Christmas Story’ is one of the biggest public events that The Monastery holds every year: it was just really nice to be a part of this festive day!

 

What is your favourite part of The Monastery and why?

My favourite part of The Monastery is the Private Chapel because, it is so peaceful in there and it still has the values of the Gothic Architecture and heritage in the room.

 

What have you learnt since you started working at The Monastery? 

Before working at The Monastery, I had no experience in coordinating events or any customer service skills. However, during my time at The Monastery I have gained experience coordinating events and improved by people skills by helping clients to organise events.

 

What is your favourite time of year at The Monastery?

Although Christmas is our busiest time of year, it is also my favourite because of all the decorations throughout the building and the festive feeling around The Monastery!

 

Finally, what is your favourite item from the Victorian Pantry?

It is so hard to choose, but for me it is either the Bakewell Slice or the Carrot Cake – though, I would probably say the Carrot Cake just because it is so delicious!

 

Please note, some responses have been slightly altered for editing purposes.

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