Kagyu Ling has been in its current Manor Drive building since 2007. Most of the building is 90 years old, which generates inevitable maintenance problems such as the odd leaking pipe or damaged drain. It also means, however, that we’ve had to modernise parts of the building in order to make it safer, more sustainable and accessible; including rewiring and removing a great deal of asbestos. We’ve tried to preserve as many of the original features as possible and have been able to retain some lovely tiles, leaded windows and coving.
If you’d like to read more about the personal odyssey of one of our community members in tracing the origins of the lovely mosaic tile pattern in our hallway, follow this link – mosaic.
Modernisation of older buildings is a labour of love and can be expensive, so this is a ‘work in progress’. We don’t qualify for grant aid to help us make our building more energy-efficient so we’re fortunate that we can rely on in-house skills to do some of this work.
We invested in solar panels in 2012, which has helped reduce our carbon footprint and our electricity bills.
In 2015, thanks to kind donations from members of our community, we were able to refurbish the lovely shrine room and we finished this work in 2016 by installing new windows and shutters. 2016 also saw us insulating the two self-contained studios where members of our community can spend days or weeks on retreat.
In 2017 we installed accessible toilet and shower facilities to help ensure there are no barriers to anyone being able to visit or stay at Kagyu Ling.
The drive was also re-laid, and a programme of replacing draughty windows and patio doors around the building got underway. Remedial work to repair damaged drains will be done when funds permit!
If you are interested in helping out with the Centre’s maintenance, please get in touch – we’re always very keen to hear from people with building or decorating skills.
If you’d like to help out financially, we’d also be grateful for any donations you’d like to make. To make a regular donation to Kagyu Ling by standing order please speak to one of our Co-ordinators. To make a one-off donation to support the work of the Centre, visit the donation page.
