Sustainability

'If Christians remain faithful to the message of the resurrection and become truly Eucharistic people, they are, in society, like a forest in the middle of cultivated lands: an unlimited reserve of silence, peace and authentic life that makes possible all the good and lasting creations of history.'  Olivier Clément




As Christians, we believe that God gave human beings stewardship over creation (Genesis 1:26). As Benedictines, we try to treat everything with the same reverence as is shown to sacred altar vessels (see The Rule of St Benedict 31:10). If this holds good for things within the monastery, it extends also to God's creation whose wonders we praise daily in the words of the Book of Psalms. So our rationale for being 'green' springs from our faith and our life as Benedictines. 



In its hay day, our former monastery Stanbrook, Worcester was practically self-sufficient in vegetables and a wide variety of fruit, eggs and some dairy produce. One of the positive drives behind the move to Wass in 2009 was the aim to get closer to the land again. Thanks to our c.20 hens, we are self-sufficient in eggs for much of the year and are gradually working to improve the soil for cultivation. 




In this section you will find details of the carefully designed eco-features of the new monastery.

Sustainability is something the community has long taken to heart, to preserve God's creation in all its glory.
We want a new monastery which will consume very little energy. With this in mind the following sustainable elements were built into the design

- wood chip boiler
- solar panels (to boost hot water)
- rain water harvesting tank
- solar shading
- sedum roofs
- natural materials
- excellent thermal insulation
- low energy light fittings
- new 'A' rated appliances
- 'passive' main drainage

Sedum Roofs


Solar panels


The link was a film produced by Gareth Jenkins for the Sustainable North York Moors website. The link to this website is also given below

Interview on the sustainable elements of new monastery particularly the reed beds.