Charity

Some 720 years ago a statue was carved of Our Lady, probably on site, in Tintem Abbey. At around the time of the Reformation its torso was broken into two pieces while the head disappeared.

Three years ago the sculptor Philip Chatfield was carving a Virgin and Child for the Priory Church of St Mary in Monmouth. Friends took him to Tintern Abbey and showed him the remains of the torso. To their great surprise he said, "I think I could make a copy". Three determined ladies then decided that he would do just that. The Friends of our Lady of Tintern was born and after fundraising (that included a number of loans) the statue was completed and put in place. She now looks towards us from the south aisle as we walk up the cloister path towards the north door of the nave in the Abbey.

Funds are still needed to pay off all the loans that, partly, enabled Philip to carry out his work but it has been decided to take another step forward and to form a charity. We know the statue has made a real impact on people and we want to build on that impact. Our plans for the future are encapsulated in the Aims that are set out in our application for charitable status.

If you wish to help us please contact us through this web site. We very much look forward to hearing from you and hope to meet you in the future.