Amanda Meade interviewing Tim Blewett in Rutland Living, Autumn 2009
Cash strapped for decades, last year major funds were required to tackle the huge task of renovating plumbing, wiring and access in the main house. The Launde team faced the challenge of raising £1 million or closing the door — something Tim remains steadfast “was never an option”.
It is said that, “The Lord moves in mysterious ways,” and as I find out more about him, it seems that Tim was uniquely qualified to take on and win the fight to keep Launde Abbey open against all the odds.
Joining the Territorial Army whilst still in the sixth form in East Yorkshire, Tim later managed to combine Officer Training with studying for a degree at Cambridge. Following his ordination and marriage to Anne, Tim’s first solo ministry was in Hanmer on the Welsh/English border. “My first task was to lead the community in raising £400,000 to rebuild a village church — a steep learning curve in the art of fundraising.”
Still active with the TA, in 1997 Tim was mobilised on a seven month tour of Bosnia, returning at the end of his duty to a new job in St Asaph developing the work of the parishes in North Wales.
Mobilised again to Iraq in 2003, Tim left Anne at home with three year old John and baby twins Eva and Helen. Tim remembers, “I had just been made aware of the vacancy at Launde but removed myself from the selection process due to my deployment. I was disappointed as I felt I understood the true value of Launde as a retreat house and for the first time, new accommodation meant someone with a family could fulfil the Warden role.”
On his return from Iraq, no suitable applicant had been found and before long Tim was successfully appointed. “We moved in the day before an open weekend which required us to welcome over two thousand visitors — it’s been a rollercoaster ever since!”
Tim is passionate about the spiritual role he cherishes for Launde as a true retreat house — one of only a few remaining in the UK — whilst at the same time working with the architects on developing the buildings for future generations. “The crunch came when it became clear we had to do all the work in one go, it wasn’t practical to tackle it bit by bit.” Following an emergency meeting with the Bishop’s Council, Tim was told there would be no funding and the team would have to bridge the financial gap themselves by raising £1 million in just a few short months.
What happened next was overwhelming: “We received donations from children offering their pocket money to the elderly giving their pension cash; we held all kinds of events and the local press campaign developed into a national debate. From coffee mornings to sponsored cycling clergy, those who loved Launde plus those who felt strongly about our local heritage dug deep and we raised the money we needed. Amazingly enough was raised to make good the building and continue to provide a sacred place for thought, prayer and learning.”
Underpinning the whole development there is a solid business plan which will improve service levels, increase staffing and safeguard the future of the investment made by so many. Tim is determined to keep the vision focused on the unique spiritual opportunities at Launde that inspired so many people to help and I think his priority is well placed. Wonderful conference facilities across the region are plentiful and although Launde will join their ranks, the really exclusive quality of the place is its tranquil and ancient beauty and the chance to find inner peace here as so many have and will now continue to do so.