Ribble Valley community centre celebrates extension

A 300-year-old East Lancashire building turned community centre is celebrating the opening of a £127,000 new extension.

The project at the Old Grammar School, Whalley added an extra room and improved provision for popular craft activities such as woodworking that are in high demand.

The new extension, replaced a dilapidated former building, aims to boost visitor numbers to the village community centre.

It is estimated that the extra room, together with an additional room created within the building, will attract up to 5,000 more visits a year to the centre.

The centre’s small car park has also been improved to provide extra space.

The trustees of the Whalley Educational Foundation, which manages the building, were awarded a £127,000 grant from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and administered by Ribble Valley Council, to cover the cost of the work.

Chairman of the centre’s trustees Terry Hill, said: “The work included replacing an existing, smaller extension, which is no longer fit for purpose, with a larger room that will give us extra space to provide a wider range of classes and activities for the community.

“That’s great news, not just for Whalley but for the Ribble Valley as a whole.

“The Old Grammar School is one of the most iconic buildings in Whalley and it’s had a lot of work done to the building over the past 10 years or so to make sure it continues to provide a lasting legacy and serve local people into the future.”

Cllr Stuart Hirst, chairman of the Ribble Valley Council’s community services committee, said: “It’s great to see this historic building thriving and continuing to provide a valuable space for people to meet and enjoy a wide range of activities at the heart of their community.”

The trustees are waiting for a decision on a further separate funding bid to help pay for the restoration of the historical frontage of the building by reinstating a former window that was removed in the 1950s to create a doorway.

The community centre currently has 11 rooms for hire for groups of between six and 80 people.

It’s home to groups including art, pottery, sewing, beading, crochet, languages, woodwork and yoga and also hosts community group meetings.

The building dates back to 1725 and celebrates its 300th anniversary this year.