Below is a copy of an article published in the Chronicle & Echo newspaper on 5th March 2010
Council bosses pledge to move on from Delapre Abbey 'storm in a tea cup'
Published Date: 05 March 2010
By Wayne Bontoft Northampton Chronicle & Echo
The leaders of Northampton Borough Council have given their backing to the Friends of Delapre Abbey and said they hope steps can now be made to preserve the historic abbey for the future.
Delapre Abbey made national headlines last month when it was revealed the council had 'banned' the friends from selling tea in the building's walled gardens because the noise 'disturbed the tranquillity'.
Following the media attention it emerged there were also splits within the Friends group itself. But during a meeting of the council's cabinet this week, all the sides agreed to get on together for the good of the abbey.
Councillor David Perkins (Lib Dem, Boughton Green) said following the positive move, he would be happy to grant the Friends a new lease for the parts of the abbey where they run the tea rooms. He said: "This is not a political issue, it's a community one and one we've all got to get right and I am fully confident they can be trusted to get on and help preserve the abbey. I think it's time now for everybody to put the past behind them and move forward for the benefit of the abbey."
He was backed by the council's cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Richard Church (Lib Dem, Kingsthorpe). He said: "I hope we can now think about the big picture for Delapre Abbey because it's a fantastic building which has fantastic potential. It is going to cost millions to get the building back in the state it should be, but nobody is going to commit to funding like that if they see groups of people at war with each other. If we can't remain united, we'll not get anywhere."
Following the backing of the council's cabinet, experts from the authority will now work on a new lease for the friends, with the documents expected to be signed by the end of June.
It is hoped the new lease will make it clear exactly where the group can serve tea outdoors.
The abbey was built in 1145, initially as a convent, but during its history it has been a war office, a family home and Northampton Records Office.
