A view of Oakham Meeting House. Photo: Caroline Trutz.
Oakham Friends return to Meeting house
Friends return to Oakham Meeting after renovations
Quakers in Oakham, Rutland, described themselves as ‘very happy to be back home’ as they returned to their newly renovated Meeting house. For almost a year Friends met in the nearby Chapel of St John’s and St Anne’s. The Meeting’s Caroline Trutz told the Friend that it was ‘lovely, but not home’.
The roof of the eighteenth century Meeting house was falling apart, Caroline said. Once work started, it became clear that there were a number of other major structural problems. Renovations included a new slate roof, new electrics and walls, and the raising of the ceiling to its original height.
The first Meeting for Worship in the ‘new’ Meeting house took place on Sunday 3 April. Friends Doreen and Peter Capewell brought a ‘rebirth’ cake to mark the occasion and to celebrate the start of a new adventure for the Meeting.
Following the renovations, Caroline said: ‘We will be able to organise events to enhance the life of the Meeting, and can explore further outreach in the community. Local groups will be able to use it again, and maybe more will take advantage of this wonderful building.’
