- Area:
- North East England
- Programme:
- Community Buildings
- Release date:
- 30 3 2009
The BIG Lottery Fund has come to the aid of a remote Teesdale farming community located in one of the most sparsely populated areas of England. In the midst of the current economic downturn, Lunedale Community Association has succeeded in securing a £152,094 grant to renovate a derelict village hall.
The ‘Strengthening Community Life in Lunedale’ project will breathe new life into the isolated parish’s Carlbeck Centre. This timely financial support from The Fund will help transform the former schoolhouse building, located 11 miles outside of Barnard Castle, into an attractive and functional hub meeting the needs of local people.
The hard-working agricultural community has secured a slice of the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Buildings programme, which is today making 55 awards worth £18,815,571 for bricks and mortar investments in village halls and community centres across England.
James Turner, BIG Lottery Fund Head of the North East region, said: “At a time when the country faces one of the most difficult periods in decades, this funding from the Community Buildings programme will be critical in helping local communities lay foundations for future prosperity. Lunedale locals have made the best of what they’ve had up to now, holding events throughout the year in less than adequate surroundings. Funding will make such a difference to local people and BIG is delighted to be supporting such a worthy venture.”
Mary Wilson, chair of the Lunedale Community Association trustees, said: “It was a dream come true when we heard we had been awarded this grant from the Big Lottery Fund. It enables us to look forward to the day we have dreamed of for many years — to have a newly renovated building, while still retaining its unique Dales appearance, for the benefit of the whole community. It will be a place where we can meet and hold both social and informative events. We'll at last have what everybody else takes for granted.”
The award will help restore the building to its former glory by funding the replacement of its leaky roof, sagging ceilings and well-worn flooring. Doors and windows will also be renewed, and a kitchen, heating, and lighting system fitted.
Perhaps one of the most significant improvements will be the installation of toilets within the building itself, meaning that visitors needn’t brave the cold to use the existing outdoor cubicle with no electric light. Plans are also afoot to bring Internet access to the valley through a transmitter mounted on the roof of the building.
Needlework classes, IT sessions and farmers’ meeting will all be timetabled, and touring theatre, musical events and dry stone walling classes may also be accommodated. Popular barbeques, Bonfire Night gatherings and children’s Christmas parties will also continue in the fresh, welcoming surroundings.
Further Information
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours contact: 07867 500 572
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030
Textphone: 0845 6021 659
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- Community Buildings is dedicated to investing in buildings that give communities a chance to improve their quality of life and meet local needs, by offering a range of activities and services open to a broad range of people.
- Up to £50 million is being distributed across England over three years with grants of £50,000 to £500,000 available.
- The programme opened for applications in June 2006. 200 applicants were invited to submit stage 2 applications and development funding was awarded to some projects.
- The programme is now closed for applications.
- The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
- BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since June 2004. The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
- Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £22 billion has now been raised and more than 300,500 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
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