A'Beckett Bishop letter

I am writing on behalf of the A’Beckett Park Development Group to inform you about the next stage in the redevelopment of the property on Raymond Island.

On Monday July 5th 2010, building works will begin on the accommodation building closest to First Avenue. This building, called “Numby Numby”, has eight rooms with en-suite facilities and will be upgraded to 3 ½ star standard, with each room being slightly enlarged. The new “Numby Numby” will be made available from the beginning of summer this year for accommodation to visitors for programmes run at the park and for those simply wishing to spend some time on the island.

This work constitutes Stage 1 of the redevelopment of the buildings of the whole site, ultimately to accommodate no more than 50 people at any given time. This is a reduction in the park’s current capacity of 90 people. All accommodation will eventually be of the same standard as the upgraded “Numby Numby”. Also included in the whole site redevelopment will be the upgrading of the current A-frame building, with some extra office/work spaces connected to the front of it.

The final vision for “The Abbey of St. Barnabas at A’Beckett Park” continues to be the establishment of a centre for spirituality and the environment, which will host a range of programmes for people of all ages. As previously indicated to you, the site will ultimately include a small permanent residential community living in an extended manager’s house; a conference centre in the enlarged A-frame, and short-term accommodation facilities for up to 50 people in en-suite 3 ½ star standard accommodation.

A further development you will notice taking place soon will be new signage for the property to identify it as “The Abbey of St. Barnabas at A’Beckett Park”.

In the meantime, the manager’s house at the far end of the property continues to be used on a casual basis by a range of people to maintain a presence on the site while it continues to be used in the short term as a camp site. Please feel free, when you see the house is occupied, to drop in and say hello to anyone who is staying there.

I shall keep you touch with any new developments as they take place.

Yours sincerely,