A MEDIEVAL Leominster landmark built after a top-level dispute that gripped 13th century Herefordshire has been saved from ruin by a £210,000 restoration scheme.

Former Leominster rector Michael Hooper, the Bishop of Ludlow, spoke of a 'dream come true' when he officially re-opened the Forbury Chapel for church and community use. It is to include a caf.

The chapel - an Archbishop's gift to the Benedictine monks of Leominster - was 'lost' to the church in the Reformation. The building was used temporarily as the parish church when the Priory roof was destroyed by fire. Later uses included gaol, civic hall, school, solicitor's office and dance studio.

Church members were delighted to regain ownership in recent years after a long struggle. There were problems over who held title - more than one person claimed to be the owner!

Joy was followed by apprehension 18 months ago when the trustees were faced with the possibility that the Forbury may have to close for good. The fabric of the scheduled ancient monument, its plumbing and electrical systems were rapidly deteriorating.

They hatched a plan to revamp the building to include a community hall, meeting space, a church library, offices for the clergy and a caf and successfully pitched for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £178,000.

Controversy

The scheme provoked some controversy, Bishop Michael recalled at the opening ceremony. But the Forbury was built through controversy, he reminded guests.

A 13th century Archbishop of Canterbury, John Peckham, came to stay at Leominster Priory to 'sort out' a troublesome Bishop of Hereford, the austere and devout Thomas Cantilupe (1218-82).

Cantilupe, excommunicated by Peckham, travelled to Italy to appeal to the Pope but died there before matters could be resolved. Hundreds of miracles were said to have occurred when his heart and bones were taken to Hereford. Cantilupe was canonised in 1320 as St Thomas of Hereford, the only saint ever to have died while excommunicate.

Peckham used Leominster Priory as his base while reorganising the Welsh church and enjoyed staying with his monastic hosts. He had The Forbury built as a gift. The chapel was dedicated to another St Thomas - Thomas a Becket of Canterbury.

Now one of three surviving Priory buildings, the chapel includes a web of ancient timbers that forms a unique scissor and hammer beam roof.

The driving force of the restoration project, management committee member and Priory churchwarden Wendy Coombey, said the closure of the 'gem' would have been a huge loss to Leominster.

She paid tribute to architect Vernon Thurgood and builder Sam Morgan and looked forward to welcoming townspeople to the new facility. The Forbury caf will open in the summer.