New £500,000 Prinknash Abbey: A new £500,000 monastery for the 37 Benedictine monks of Prinknash near Gloucester, which has central heating and electric shaver sockets in the cells, is to be consecrated next Wednesday. It replaces a Tudor mansion, a quarter of a mile away where the community has been living since 1928. All the cells have built in wardrobes, hand basins, beds and desks. Baths, showers and lavatories are provided for every four cells. Father Fabian Binyon, abbey spokesman, said: ''The Medieval idea that monks lead a life of austerity and gloom does not apply in this modern age. There is no reason why we should not introduce the latest innovations. The monastery is built of 2,500 tons of Cotswold stone brought from quarries 20 miles away. Photo shows view of the new £500,000 Prinknash Abbey near Gloucester.
Photo measures 10.25 x 8 inches.
Photo is dated 04-04-1972.
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