Dunfield
House - Winter/Spring 2004/2005
Yes, I know that we have had a “Windows and
Dunfield” newssheet before but perhaps it’s
time to show the pictures – and update you
some more about the house. The oldest window is perhaps
600 or more years old, the newest was put in, in
2003, but both convey what I am going to call the “Spirit
of Dunfield.” Dunfield House is about letting
in light. People come to Dun field and are impressed
by the warmth of their reception, what they feel
there, and the facilities for growth and learning.
Dunfield House is special! They are also impressed
by the continuing programme of improvements and renewal.
Speaking of which the new fold-away shop built to
the design of our in-house carpenter is a marvel
in itself, but much more has been done, and will
be done, not all of which is as obvious as the shop.
The downstairs toilet facilities are a boon to the
elderly and physically challenged, the newly decorated
lounge [wood floor, new tables and new chairs of
differing heights, a re-vamped fireplace, new curtains
and so on] is light, airy and fresh. A new ladies’ powder
room will be finished very soon on the first floor
with showers as well as toilets and wash-basins.
[Incidentally we are always being surprised at Dunfield – we
never know what we are going to find – and
during the works in the powder room one of the walls
revealed a pound of tea in a green paper packet.
Goodness knows when some builder set it in the walls.
One hopes he didn’t just lose it and have to
do without his cuppa for a while!]
Not so obvious is the renewal scheduled immediately
of some of the roof windows and the renewal of the
swimming pool woodwork.
With a house as old as Dunfield and taking the wear
and tear that Dunfield does take there is always
something that needs to be done, and the Company
which runs the house for the Charity has a list of “necessities” and “desirables.”
But Dunfield is a success! We are still managing
to meet those necessities and tackle many of the
desirables. It is 40 years this year since the Church
which owns Dunfield [the Charity] bought it, and
since then, first with Bill and Mary Coates, and
latterly with Fred and Helen Crane as pillar heads
it has served as a Centre for Residential Courses
and Retreats.
40 years of hard work – but well worth it!
News Archive:
Dunfield House - June 2006
Dunfield House - Spring/Summer 2006
Dunfield House - Winter 2005/2006
Dunfield House - Winter/Spring 2004/2005
Dunfield House - Winter 2003/2004
Windows and
Dunfield – a
conversation
Dunfield House - Winter 2002/2003
