Anybody who has walked through Abbey Fields in Kenilworth will be aware of the remains of the Augustinian Abbey, and the barn museum that is home to the Kenilworth Abbey Advisory Committee (KAAC). Few however, may be aware that there is a group of volunteers in the town dedicated to the restoration and care of the archives and ruins of the old abbey.

The Harry Sunley Memorial Project is run by KAAC; it is a fundraising initiative that is designed to raise the money needed to restore the abbey's Tanatra Gatehouse to a condition where local people can come and learn more about the history of where they live.

The project, which has been running for some 20 years, is now named after the late Harry Sunley FSA who was considered the local authority on the abbey until his death in 2011.

Alongside his knowledge of Abbey Fields, Harry was a former chairman of KAAC, president and chairman of Kenilworth History and Archaeological society and a former town clerk.

He had always hoped to see the gatehouse chambers opened to the public and their contents properly displayed there, and these are now the ultimate aims of the project.

What is the project hoping to achieve?

As stated, the aim of this project is to reopen the gatehouse to the public, and to house the many artefacts that KAAC curate.

Whilst the abbey is actually owned by Warwick District Council, KAAC is responsible for the day to day maintenance and any developments on the site.

The project has already seen the construction of a mezzanine floor, and shelving in the north chamber after it was successfully cleared. Works have seen a significant amount of delay however, with the affects of Covid-19 as well as the fact that a number of bat surveys have had to be taken before work could progress.

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Now money must be raised to do similar work in the south chamber, build a new door as well as to install comprehensive lighting throughout the building.

Significant work also needs to be done in order to create a suitable space to display a number of key artefacts in appropriate places; these include a 14th century stone effigy of Prior John Salle which is currently housed in the barn museum.

A number of original stones also need to be sorted and moved; there is a possibility that these will be built into the foundations of the new leisure centre in Abbey Fields.

Why should you care?

The Augustinian priory (later abbey) in Abbey Fields is one of the oldest and most important pieces of the town's history.

Alongside the castle, the abbey is a reminder of the medieval and early modern heritage that Kenilworth has. Both show the significance that Kenilworth and Warwickshire have played at several stages in English history.

Project fundraising director Mervyn Kimberly said: "This exciting project is an important step towards reclaiming the Abbey Gatehouse for the benefit of Kenilworth and it's community, bringing to life this important historic building, and making it available for the public for the first time in it's existence.

"The many pieces of historic masonry and other artefacts from the Abbey site, will eventually become an extension to the existing Barn Museum for visitors.

"It is vital that we are given funding towards our work and aims, in order that we can complete the project, and we appeal to anyone who feels able, to make a donation to the Harry Sunley Memorial Project Charity to enable us to achieve it."

The Harry Sunley Memorial Project therefore presents not just an opportunity to preserve the local history, but also an opportunity to help local people learn more about the area within which they live.

To this end, over the coming weeks Kenilworth Nub News will be bringing you the history of the abbey as well as news of progress on the project.