Generous preserver of the Abbey
Located on the Abbey railings, Church St
Clara Willet (also spelt Willett) was a wealthy woman who donated £14,000 towards restoring Wymondham Abbey between 1902 and 1905. She financed 50% of the reconstruction of the interior, which was in a state of continued deterioration until her donation. Without her generosity, none of the items would have survived. Part of this money went towards rebuilding a gilded screen, which was a memorial dedicated to local men who died in WW1, designed by Sir Ninian Comper. The Tester and the Rood within the Abbey were given in memory of Clara Willet.
The Wymondham High School FemSoc have chosen to celebrate Clara Willet because she is an inspiration. The Abbey is a key part of Wymondham’s heritage – whether you are Christian or not – and dominates the town’s landscape.
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