Just near Ulverston you will find Conishead Priory. This is no longer a priory or even a ruin of a priory. Along with other priories Conishead was closed in the 16th century. A succession of country houses were built on the site, the last built early in the 19th century by Colonel Braddyll. After he went bankrupt, the house became a hotel, then a convalescent home for Durham miners, a hospital during World War II and is now the home of the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre. This International Centre for Modern Buddhism uses the buildings of the house and has renovated these and has also built a modern Buddhist temple in a walled garden in the grounds.
We parked up under the twin turrets of the main house and found the World Peace Café where we enjoyed a good lunch in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere. After lunch we had a look at the temple and then walked to the lovely pebble beach through the woodland.
It was here in the woodland, splendid in autumn colours, that we found this bench in memory of Bill Irving. I did as instructed and thought of Bill, who was clearly very attached to Conishead Priory. We carried on through the woodland, spotting some interesting looking mushrooms and reached the pebble beach with misty views across the estuary.
In loving memory of Bill Irving (1935 – 2012). “Sit awhile and think of Bill, for all around he is with us still.”
The woods at Conishead Priory in autumn colours
