The North Yorkshire abbey’s makeover will cost £6.8m, according to The Sunday Telegraph, which challenges the community of 58 monks and lay people who adhere to the Benedictine precept of living “prayerfully, compassionately and humbly in the service of God and our fellow men”.
Barring the introduction of electric light and the installation of a hand basin, the abbey hasn’t been revamped for 120 years.
Fr Chan Boulton, a resident at the monastery told the paper modernisation was needed as the monks’ accommodation had been neglected.
However, the monks’ aren’t all in agreement as to what changes need to be made.
Fr Boulton explained: “We have had a great debate as a community over what is acceptable for a monk.
“Is an en suite going too far for a monk?”
An artist’s impression of the new rooms includes modern storage and Molton Brown products in plush bathrooms.
The refurbishments will include replacing all the windows throughout the abbey, replacing the chimney and introducing a loop system for monks who have hearing problems.
The abbey is appealing for help to raise the final £1m and the monks have offered their services to raise the cash.
Fr Henry Wansbrough, 83, who is often seen whizzing around the grounds on his scooter, told The Times: “We looked at everything we didn’t need and sold it.
“Even a monk acquires clutter.”
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