DOUAI ABBEY

Building the New Library 11

June 18 The concrete beams for the decorative feature are put in place.
Raising the upright beam.
Preparing its top.
Raising the cross beam.
Guiding it.
Getting exactly in place.
Fixing the coping stone.
Two views showing the decorative beams in place. The newly planted lavender can be seen in the photo on the left.

July 3
Now the library is nearing completion.
The view towards the library from the junction of the south and west cloisters, looking right through the Abbey Church.
The open west cloister from the north door of the church, looking towards the library.
The north cloister looking from the monastery towards the library.
The reading room.
Detail of the staircase balustrade.
The bookstacks.
The archive room.
The plant room.
The Gothic window from the demolished cloister bay, outside the library entrance.
Outside view from the north.
Outside showing reflection in
north cloister windows
The library from the east.
July 16
Early morning sun on the metal structure of the library.
Landscaping continues, gardeners Fr Benjamin and
Br Gabriel plant bushes near the library
July 21
A view from the west without scaffolding.
More landscaping.
August 9
A stained glass window, depicting St Thomas Aquinas,
has been placed in the north cloister
outside the library.
It has been donated by Canon Nicholas France,
a former pupil of Douai School,
who is parish priest in St Helier, Jersey.
The window, like the one of Our Lady in the guesthouse,
comes from the demolished 'English' church
of Our Lady & St John, in St Helier.
August 30
 During the past week we have started
putting books in the library.

To see photographs sent by the architect, David Richmond.
To Photographs of the opening ceremony & main library page.

Registered Charity No. 236962

page updated 15/04/11

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