Community Centre One Step Nearer Completion (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Community Centre One Step Nearer Completion

A MASSIVE stride has been taken towards completing the renovation of Fairford Community Centre with the award of a grant for almost £40,000.

The £37,800 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has been pledged to pay for a project manager to oversee the planning stage of the restoration work.

The good news comes almost exactly a year after Fairford Town Council and St Mary's Parochial Church Council combined to pay Gloucestershire County Council £192,000 for the building.

A project team, which includes representatives from the joint owners, has been working with HLF, architects, planners and conservationists to plan the £500,000 restoration and refurbishment of the Grade II listed building.

Chris Roberts, a trustee of the community centre and deputy mayor of Fairford said the project's main aims are to rescue the building, preserve its history and heritage and help meet rural needs by providing facilities for all the community in one central historic location.

After emphasising the project team's joy at the news of the award she said: "A lot of hard work has gone into the whole project by volunteers from the town council, St Mary's Church and the general public.

"Special thanks must go to Margaret Bishop, who is the project co-ordinator and has done most of the paperwork in order to get the lottery grant.

"However, there is still a long way to go and fundraising has to continue. "The project team would be happy to receive any donation, large or small."

There are also plans to relocate the town council offices into the centre together with the town's Volunteer Bureau.

By relocating to the centre, Fairford Town Council will be able to provide better public access and services, and potentially a tourist information point and Cotswold District Council services, added Mrs Roberts.

The centre was formerly the home of the town's Farmor's School until it moved to its current site in 1961.

It was then widely used for a range of community activities until lack of use led to it falling into disrepair.

She said: "If anyone would like to make a donation or discuss becoming a benefactor of the Community Centre, I would like to hear from them."

She can be contacted on 07941201243.