We hope you will be able to join us in Isleham on Thursday 26 th September for a visit to The Ark Church and the Priory Church.

The Ark, in Isleham is one of the UK's biggest self-build projects. The 23,500 sq ft building is believed to be the biggest structure in Europe made in modern times from green oak - wood that is machined, processed and jointed before it is seasoned and dried. The Ark took more than 10 years to build at a cost of £4m and was officially opened in October 2021. The size of the project, modelled on a 15th Century Cambridgeshire barn, meant a sawmill had to be built first in 2009 to enable extra long oak beams to be cut.

After lunch at The Merry Monk in Isleham, by contrast, we will visit the Priory Church which was founded in c.1100. This small Norman chapel is the best example in the country of a small Benedictine priory church that has remained substantially unaltered.

The programme for the visit is;

10.30am: Meet at The Ark Church, Isleham for tea/coffee. There is ample parking available on the site. The postcode for Satnav users is CB7 5QP.

11.00am: Introduction and tour of The Ark with John Wick and Terry Malkin.

1.00pm: Two course lunch at The Merry Monk (CB7 5SB) – menu attached. Drinks can be purchased at the bar.

2.30pm: Visit the Priory Church which is a 5 minute walk or 1 minute drive from The Merry Monk.

The cost is £30 per person. Please use the simple and secure ONLINE FORM to pay by Credit or Debit card. If you wish to pay by cheque, please complete the enclosed Invitation Form and post with your cheque to David Smith, SCS Treasurer/Secretary at the address on the Form. If you are not on email, please enclose a s.a.e with your completed Invitation Form and cheque.

Mains

Poached chicken breast in Maderia cream, with tarragon, bacon, mushrooms, mash potatoes, seasonal greens

Pea Risotto, Honey Roasted Brie, burnt onion, rosemary, spinach, roasted garlic (vg)(gf)

Desserts

Banoffee Panna cotta pot, chocolate mousse & short bread (gf)

By taking ingredients out they can be (vg) vegan or can be (v) vegetarian (gf) Gluten free