Running a large house and maintaining 120 acres of grounds naturally has significant costs; as a small example our insurance is £2,800 per year and oil for heating over £3,000 per annum. We have some income from seminars but we are very dependant upon donations and sponsorship to meet our expenses. Currently all the staff at Gomde pay a small amount to cover the costs of living (and working!) here.
"Keepers of the Estate" are a very special group of people. The Keepers are people who form the bed rock of Rinpoche´s activities at his centre at Gomde, Lindholme Hall. Keepers make regular monthly contributions to help with costs associated with the house; services, maintenance and necessary upgrading to the house. We are absolutely delighted that we now have sufficient support to meet our basic summer expenses however, given the costs of heating in the winter, we continue to have a shortfall in the colder months. In the last year we have had the house roof and meditation hall insulated, updated rooms on the east wing (creating a dining room and dormitory) and also upgraded the seminar kitchen. Recently an attic suite with ensuite facilities has been created and we have plans, and sponsorship, to create a second retreat room in the house with its own en suite facilities and also create a separate laundry room.
Anyone who would like to become a "Keeper of the Estate" is most welcome to join, please remember many small drops eventually fill a bucket (or in our case the oil tank!) so any amount you give on a regular basis is much needed and appreciated.
For more information contact Paulette at national@gomde.org.uk or see our bank or paypal details on the web site under donating.