On Friday 15 November a number of prominent members of our building team assembled at the Abbey in order to be properly thanked for their hard work, professionalism and dedication.

Each was given a specially carved and inscribed wooden plaque as a memento of their months spent toiling here: also a pound jar of Pluscarden honey, and a bottle of Pluscarden apple juice! After suitable speeches and presentations, a lunch followed for all, served up from the kitchen these workers had themselves constructed.

The irreplaceable John Gleeson received in addition a stone replica of the Crosses that stand at each gable end of the new St. Joseph's guest house. All of these were carved, of course, by our outstanding artist and sculptor Philip Chatfield.

Since our original architect Philip Mercer has been incapacitated through illness, John Gleeson has taken over the close supervision of the whole project, keeping an eagle eye on every detail, from the beginning of the work until its end. John has worked throughout in close partnership with our Cellarer Br. Michael. So much that is good about this building may stand as a testimony to their collaboration. John happens also to be an Oblate of our community.

Two of the Roberton's Team are retiring now, after 40 years of service with the Firm. One acted as chief joiner for this project, the other as chief brick or concrete block layer. Both said the same: that this was the most enjoyable, interesting and rewarding project they had ever worked on. And both also remarked that, in all their long years of service, this was the first time either had ever been formally thanked for their work!