One of Northamptonshire’s most important heritage sites is giving people a chance to leave their own permanent mark on its 900-year history.

Delapré Abbey is working on the £5 million ‘A Stable Future’ project to repair its substantial 19^th century stables and associated buildings and transform them into a new health and wellbeing hub.

Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust has now launched the Stable Stories fundraiser in time for Christmas to give people the chance to have their name embossed on to one of a series of commemorative metal plates which will be installed around the refurbished stables complex.

Richard Clinton, Chief Executive of Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, said: “Delapré Abbey is brimming with history and is one of Northamptonshire’s treasures. Generations of families have made their own special memories here when they visit and it means so much to so many people.

“Our ‘A Stable Future’ project will help to secure the Abbey’s long-term future and this fundraiser gives people the chance to make their own special contribution to it.

“By having their name – or the name of a loved one – embossed on the plates they will be permanently etched into the fabric of Delapré and literally become part of the story of ‘A Stable Future’.

“We’ve launched the fundraiser in time for Christmas because we think these will make a very thoughtful gift for the countless people who feel an emotional connection with Delapré.”

The plates at Delapré Abbey will be made of SG iron, which naturally weathers to a rich rust-orange colour over time. By making a donation, your name will be added alongside others on a shared commemorative plate. Plates cost £80 for one person’s name or £160 for two people’s names. For those wishing to include a family name, such as The Delapré Family, the cost is £125. A printed keepsake certificate is also available for £10.

The first set of plates will be installed into the central courtyard at the heart of the stables complex which will be accessible to all. The deadline to be featured in the first set of plates is April 2026.

The plates are not available to groups, clubs or companies. Organisations which are interested in supporting ‘A Stable Future’ are invited to contact fundraising@delapreabbey.org

To buy a plate, go to https://tinyurl.com/56nwnn8e