Northwich Buddhist Centre is on the verge of ordaining its latest in a ever growing line of monks.

Bruce Robinson, originally from Shepherds Bush, has lived in Northwich for the last couple of years and is set to become the sixth person ordained at the Odiyana Kadampa Meditation Centre, on Chester Road.

There has been a Buddhist centre in the town for more than 20 years, with the origins dating back to 1995 when a request was made to the Tara Buddhist Centre in Derby for a teacher to come to Northwich to teach meditation.

Northwich Guardian: Northwich Buddhist Centre is located on Chester Road

Northwich Buddhist Centre is located on Chester Road

Julie Forrest, Education Programme Coordinator at the centre, explains: "A Buddhist nun came and started regular classes.

"In 2000 the group had grown in numbers and strength, so the first property was purchased and Northwich now had a Buddhist centre.

"In those days it was quite small & the centre was actually a three bedroomed house.

"In 2001 a Buddhist monk, Kelsang Chokyong was sent to Northwich to develop the centre.

"Since then we have moved to a larger building on Chester Road and expanded our programme of events which include teachings on Buddhism, but also general meditation classes and courses on how to deal better with life's difficulties, which are very popular in these difficult stressful times."

In the two decades of the centre's existence, five people been ordained as monks or nuns, with the first of those Lamchog, a very committed member and still based in the town, while three others have moved on to take up positions in other Buddhist centres around the world.

Northwich Guardian: Inside the centre which has been in Northwich for two decades

Inside the centre which has had a presence in Northwich for two decades

Julie added: "To date we have produced an Admin Director for the centre in Oslo, Norway, an Admin Director for the centre in Edinburgh and one of our monks has just been appointed resident Teacher in the centre in Singapore.

"We are delighted that we have the opportunity to train people so they can go out and benefit people all around the world."

"This year we have a sixth person about to get ordained.

"Bruce Robinson, a long standing member of the community has decided to get ordained as a monk and he would actually be a monk by now if it wasn't for delays caused by Covid-19.

"We are delighted to welcome Northwich's new monk and hope to produce many more, some to help us in Northwich but some to help bring happiness to places like Singapore where anxiety and stress levels are very high."