WORK has started on a £6.4m restoration project at Ampleforth College.

The scheme is part of its £17m fundraising programme to restore the Monastery, Abbey Church, and Bolton House, and contribute to its critical school Bursary Fund.

Designed by Battersea Power Station architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, Bolton House was built in 1933 as a boarding house for Ampleforth College.

The school’s alumni include Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and JCB Chairman Lord Bamford, whose two sons were also educated at Ampleforth and actually boarded in Bolton House.

Work is being carried out by William Anelay, a specialist in the conservation and restoration of listed and historic buildings, including Chester Cathedral and York Minster.

Once complete, Bolton House will initially be used to house the monastic community, while the monastery is refurbished, after which it will be used by the students of Ampleforth College.

Father Wulstan Peterburs, Procurator of Ampleforth Abbey & College – monastic speak for chief operating officer, said he and his team of lay people and monks, had a remit that extended across finance, human resources, the estate, and various commercial enterprises conducted through the Abbey’s trading company.

"Fundraising and revenue generation is critical to securing the future of the Monastic community who have lived and worked on the site since 1802," he said.

"Throughout our history, we have used business acumen and good planning to help support the work of the Benedictine community as efficiently and effectively as possible."

Fr Wulstan added: "Stewardship at Ampleforth means valuing the beauty of our environment as well as appreciating and caring properly for all the things that we need and use to do our job.

"This fundraising effort is critical to doing this in a way which has a positive impact on future generations. We have raised over £8m to date which is an encouraging start and we will continue to work hard to secure the balance of funds required."