Visit to the Taj Mahal of Manchester:

It's something I've been yearning to do since I first clapped eyes on the building that is now the view from my bedroom window. I had the rare and amazing opportunity to visit Gorton Monastery last Thursday thanks to my Mum's ability to talk to anyone, anytime about anything. Having met with Tony Hurley (the Heritage Director) a couple of weeks ago at the local community centre open day, we were able to arrange a personal tour of the Monastery of St Francis and heard the most fascinating, passionate and amazing story from a man who has committed the recent years of his life to researching the history and architecture of the building.

I’m not going to try to explain the complex story that unfolded during his talk and our tour but encourage anyone reading this to check out the website and arrange a tour for themselves. It really is a spiritual place with a story and a mystery that no film could do justice to. The monastery is due to open to the public in June this year and is appearing (with Tony) on Songs of Praise at the start of July. I believe there will be a nice (simple) café facility open to the public so avoid the ASDA café and eat at the Monastery :-)

Here are some of my pictures:

Built by a group of Franciscan Friars in 1861 (this picture isn't mine!)

Designed by Edward Pugin to Cathedral proportions

The last Brothers left in 1989 (that's not them in the overalls by the way!) and the place was vandalised and lay open to the elements until 1996 when the heritage and restoration project began. It took just 10 years for the Franciscan monks to build the entire place by hand and carve all the internal features and statues in the nineteenth century and the same amount of time since 1996 to restore it enough to open again this coming June.

Only the monks used to be allowed in this corridor
The church is built North/South rather than the standard East/West...this is the South window
Looking to the alter and the North window.
Although not as long, the nave is higher than Westminster Abbey and Manchester Cathedral, and numerous other cathedrals, to encourage the viewer to look heavenwards.
You might be able to make out a large crucifix hanging above the alter between the scaffolding.
The figure is 'life-size' but, because of the height of the roof, it's difficult to appreciate the size of the feature. It's rather like the Grand Canyon - only when you see something alongside it can you put anything in perspective.
The alter was hand carved by a monk Brother Patrick - the lead builder - but now lies in ruins with most of the statues stolen.
The artwork depicting various Saints also needs a lot of restoration. However, you can buy a brick, adopt and angel or sponsor a Saint to help them replace and rebuild the features

Window in a small room high above the alter to the right. It will be one of the many rooms open for hire as a conference facility.

There's a piece of film footage from part of my tour on myspace page (if I can get it on there). It's taken as we stood in front of the alter: http://www.youtube.com/igwet

There's a cool philharmonic concert also performing in June/July - look at their website for details of all things Gorton: www.gortonmonastery.co.uk