Listed below are press releases related to Torre Abbey and its restoration.  To view the complete press release please click on the relevant title.

Torre Abbey visitor centre opens (17th August 2006) 111kb
A new visitor centre is proving a big hit with both locals and visitors wishing to follow the progress at Torre Abbey as it undergoes a major refurbishment.   Over 1000 people have already visited the free display, currently being held at the Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, to browse the exhibition and view some of the exciting finds made so far.  

Friends of Torre Abbey celebrate milestone (21st June 2006) 77 kb
The Friends of Torre Abbey are celebrating as they reach a significant milestone in their fundraising efforts. A generous cheque from the Rotary Club of Torquay has taken the Friend's Renaissance Appeal over the £100,000 mark which brings them ever closer to their £120,000 target. The donation totalling £1,500 is from the proceeds of the last year's fundraising efforts by the Torquay Rotarians including a Summer fayre and an auction of promises, where local businesses and individuals donated prizes for the highest bidder.

Contractor appointed for Torre Abbey restoration (11th April 2006) 81 kb
Kier Western, part of the Kier Group, has been awarded the £4.9million construction contract to help restore the heart of Torbay's heritage.  Following a year of tendering and interviews, the construction company has fought off stiff competition from other companies, to be awarded the main contract for the Torre Abbey Restoration Project.

The green army moves into abbey gardens (3rd March 2006) 75 kb
Green-fingered students in Torbay have donned their gardening gloves and welly boots in preparation for an adventure. Their mission?  To maintain and develop the historic gardens and palm house at Torre Abbey.  Pluss Four Seasons provides horticultural training for people with disabilities.  Working at Torre Abbey, the students will receive hands-on experience under the guidance of tutors, whilst working towards their NVQ qualifications.

Face peel takes 800 years off abbey (15th February 2006) 73 kb
Layers of limewash in the basement rooms of Torre Abbey have peeled back to reveal an 800-year-old colour scheme.  The colour started to appear in the early 1990s, when the limewash in the western undercroft passage of the abbey began to deteriorate, and over time it became evident that the colour underneath was part of something very special..........

Torre Abbey.......the story so far (3rd February 2006) 90 kb
In February 2004 news of a £4.9million lottery windfall prompted celebrations at Torbay Council and marked the start of a restoration project for Torre Abbey.  The project will be split into three phases over the next ten years.  Phase 1 will make the abbey suitable for people with disabilities, including a new entrance, new ticketing and reception areas. A stunning new cloister garden will become the central feature of both the abbey and gardens..........

Grave find at Torre Abbey (1st February 2006) 39 kb
A 15th Century grave slab believed to be one of the best surviving examples of its kind has been surprisingly uncovered at Torre Abbey.  The grave slab was uncovered during a three-week excavation of the cloister by the Museum of London archaeology service.  The aim of this excavation was to determine the floor levels of the original cloister to help in the planning of a new contemporary design as part of Torbay Council's Torre Abbey restoration project..........

Four Seasons in one at Torre Abbey (20th October 2005) 83 kb
An award winning horticultural training scheme for students with disabilities will be maintaining and developing the gardens at Torre Abbey during its extensive restoration.   The agreement with Four Seasons, which provides training for students with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health issues, follows the unfortunate withdrawal of Dartington Tech from the programme..........

Latest technology reveals extent of abbey's history (13 September 2005) 88 kb
A high-tech survey of the grounds at Torre Abbey has revealed exciting new evidence showing the extent of medieval buildings that disappeared from view over two centuries ago..........

Torre Abbey unveils a few surprises (13 July 2005) 85 kb
Torre Abbey's journey towards a bigger, brighter future has started and already there have been a few unexpected "finds".  The initial works by Bosence and Co have started 6 weeks ahead of schedule with the aim of preparing the building ready for the main contractor who is due to start in October..........

The jewel in Torbays crown to shine once again (4 November 2004) 102 kb
The grand doors of Torre Abbey will soon be closing until the first phase of an extensive restoration make-over has been completed. The programme follows the allocation of a £4.9 million grant in February 2004 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore Torre Abbey and to transform its prospects as an educational facility and tourist attraction..........