Project Manager James meets Partnership

St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds, along with its partners West Suffolk Council and English Heritage, announced that James Mellish has been appointed as the Project Manager for The Abbey of St Edmund: A Millennium of English History in West Suffolk, a project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

On October 3rd James was invited to talk to members of the Partnership’s Core Group at their regular meeting.

James has worked on a variety of Heritage Fund projects. Locally, he was Project Manager for Bury St Edmunds Guildhall’s £1.8m project, as well as Clare Castle Country Park’s £2m project and Ipswich Museum and Ipswich Borough Council’s £8.4m project.

James Mellish, Project Manager with Matthew Vernon Chair of The Abbey Heritage Partnership

On his appointment, James says, “I’m really excited at my appointment. A project of this scope and ambition is going to be incredible for Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding region, and I’m looking forward to starting work with so many people who are passionate about the Abbey and its history.”

The Abbey of St Edmund was once one of the greatest abbeys in medieval England. It was a focus for international pilgrimage and played a key role in the formation of the Magna Carta. Today, the Abbey site is a principal visitor attraction for the town and county – Abbey Gardens, wherein the ruins are situated, last year had 1.37m visits and is free-to-enter.

Made possible by National Lottery players, The Abbey of St Edmund: A Millennium of English History in West Suffolk aims to conserve and protect the Abbey ruins; build a visitor centre, west cloister, and network of footpaths; and use digital technology to provide exciting interpretation for all ages and interests. There will be a huge range of learning and volunteering activities built around events, programmes and exhibitions. The project will link up with other heritage attractions nearby and further afield, giving communities and visitors more opportunities to access the rich heritage of town and county.

Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury, is looking forward to welcoming James to the project “We’re delighted that James is joining us as Project Manager. This project will transform the way that local residents and visitors from further afield engage with the Cathedral and Abbey site, and we know that James’s appointment is key in delivering the project so that we can achieve that objective.”

St Edmundsbury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage (the project partners) have come together as members of The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership (comprising 29 organisations and individuals who care about the Abbey) to develop and deliver this project.