A brief history of the Ammerdown Centre
The Ammerdown Centre is located
in the former stable block of Ammerdown House, which dates back to
1789. Built by Thomas Joliffe, to whom the present Lord Hylton is
related, the house was designed by James Wyatt. Its beautiful
landscaped gardens were mostly designed by famous landscape artist Edwin
Luytens at the beginning of the 20th century.
In the early seventies, Lord
Hylton, his good friend John Todd (founder of Dartman Todd Longman
Publishing House) and other friends developed together the concept of an
adult education centre, with special emphasis on dialogue and
reconciliation. This was just after the Second Vatican Council, which
opened the door wide open for individual and corporate renewal. To the
Founders of Ammerdown, it soon became clear that inter-faith dialogue
needed to be at the centre of this quest for renewal, and that dialogue
required a meeting of minds, bodies and spirits. This enlightened
vision led to the conversion of the stable block into a residential
centre, and to the grand opening, in 1973, of the Ammerdown Centre. The
exquisite chapel came on the scene later, after conversion of the former
meat store used by Lord Hylton’s ancestors to store the game they had
hunted.
Since 1973, the Centre has
developed into a nationally respected centre, known for its deep
commitment to justice, peace and reconciliation. It is now owned by a
separate charity, the Ammerdown Centre Ltd.
In 2004/05, the Centre
undertook extensive renovation and refurbishment work to bring its
facilities to 21st century standards. It was closed for a
total of seven months and re-opened in June 2005.
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Our Mission Statement
The Ammerdown Centre is an open Christian community dedicated to peace, reconciliation and renewal which provides a programme of opportunities for study, mutual learning and the chance to hear and absorb new ideas and insights.
It makes this provision within a secure, welcoming and prayerful atmosphere which is rooted in, and promotes, mutual respect regardless of belief. It is intended that residents and visitors should find an openness to all faiths, be able to renew and develop their own personal faithfulness and have the opportunity to appreciate the natural surroundings.
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Why is Ammerdown so special?
“A place where
Heaven and Earth Meet”
Feedback
forms filled in by visitors refer again and again to three factors that
make Ammerdown a place like no other:
- The sheer
natural beauty of the
surroundings
- The amazing atmosphere of
peace and quiet
- The tremendous helpfulness
of the staff.
This special character was
beautifully captured in an article written in 2003 to celebrate the
30th Anniversary of the Centre, entitled “A place where Heaven and
Earth Meet.” Its author, a Methodist Minister and a frequent
visitor to the Centre, writes:
“The most
remarkable gift Ammerdown brings to contemporary life is hospitality –
the kind which acknowledges and celebrates difference. In this
atmosphere, people with many life experiences can explore what it means
to be human and do their own thing. This is no hothouse, but it is
remarkable how people grow and prosper when Ammerdown works its magic."
To read
the full text of the article, click here.
We very much
hope that you too will want to come and enjoy our special hospitality,
be it by attending one of our courses, by bringing a group to us, or by
visiting as a private guest. We look forward to welcoming you here and
to seeing Ammerdown work its magic on you.
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