Friends of Delapre Abbey (FoDA)

FoDA was established in June 2001 to protest against plans by some within Northampton Borough Council to sell-off Historic Delapre Abbey (founded 1145) to a developer and as such, lose this valuable and much loved community resource forever.

The resulting campaign to ‘Save our Abbey’ generated much public interest from as far a field as Australia and resulted in FoDA gaining an initial membership of some 1600 people opposed to selling the Abbey.

Since 2001 FoDA has been working with Northampton Borough Council, Northamptonshire County Council, English Heritage and many others to return the Abbey, its gardens, parklands and lake to their former glory.What began as a local protest group in 2001 was recognised by the Charity Commission in 2006 and granted Registered Charity status (number 1113979).

We are now working in partnership with a number of local and national organisations to preserve the Abbey and its surrounding as a community resource for all to freely enjoy. A grant from The East Midlands Development Agency in 2007 has enabled us start restoring the first of 4 Victorian greenhouses and to establish a tea room at the abbey.

As the greenhouses are completed, we hope to grow organic produce within them for use on the Tea Room menus and for sale to the public.Monies raised will fund our continuing work on the gardens and grounds surrounding the Abbey.

JOIN US NOW!

Members of the public are invited to 'Sponsor a Beaver Tail' (shaped panes of glass required for our continuing restoration of the greenhouses) for a donation of £10. In return you will receive a certificate acknowledging your donation and your name will be entered into a book containing the names of all who have helped secure this valuable part of our heritage for future generations to appreciate.

Donations: Pledge your donations now by telephoning 01604 708675

We are always looking for volunteers to work with us in the Tea Rooms, helping to staff the events we organise and outside in the gardens throughout the year. Find out how you can help by calling
01604 708675 NOW!

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A Brief History of Delapré

1145
The Abbey of St Mary De-le-pre (St Mary in the Meadow) was built by the son of Simon de Senlis, 2nd Earl of Northampton.

1290
After her death Queen Eleanors body was taken to Delapre Abbey to spend the night there whilst being taken to Westminster Abbey.

1291
Queen Eleanor cross built on Delapre hill.

1460
The Battle of Northampton between the Yorkist’s and the Lancastrian’s.

1538
Under the dissolution Henry VIII forced the Abbey to surrender to the crown.

1539
Let to a tenant.

1543
The estate was sold to John Mershe of London a property speculator.

1546
John Mershe sells Delapre to Sir John Tate.

1749
Mary Tate marries a sailor named Charles Hardy. Mary dies 18 months later, and Charles Hardy was rarely seen at Delapre from then on.

1756
An advertisement was carried in the Mercury and Herald offering Delapre for let.

1762
Rented by 2 surgeons.

1764
Husband of Mary Tate, Sir Charles Hardy sold the estate to Edward Bouverie for £22,000.

1896
Bouverie family then let the Abbey to a boot and shoe manufacturer by the name of John Cooper.

1906
John Cooper died so his family vacated Delapre.

1914
Miss Bouverie lived in Hardingstone until the spring of 1914 when she returned to the Abbey.

1940
The war office commandeered Delapre Abbey and Miss Bouverie moved to Pond House, Duston.

1941
Miss Bouverie told her bailiff that she wanted to die at Delapre. So he had rooms prepared for her in the stable block where she died on 20th January 1943.

1946
Delapre Abbey with 586 acres sold to Northampton Corporation.

1947
War Office relinquished Delapre.

1954
Under the threat of demolition, Joan Wake of the Northamptonshire Record Society successfully campaigned to save the Abbey. The NRS were to reside at the Abbey for the next 33 years.

1957
Repaired and adapted for use by Northampton record office.

1992
Records office moved to Wootton.

2001
Friends of Delapre Abbey founded.

2004
Friends of Delapre Abbey lease rooms in the stable block from Northampton Borough Council.

2005
Friends of Delapre Abbey hold their A.G.M. at Delapre Abbey for the first time.

2006
The Friends of Delapre Abbey attained charitable status.