New Parish Centre
www.stpaulscentrespennymoor.org.uk In 2007 the St Paul’s Parochial Church Council embarked on a project to re-develop the Church Hall. The 1960s building was in desperate need of major repair, or the parish faced the serious risk of losing the facility altogether. Working closely with consultant Allan Percival of Anchorage Initiatives we launched a community consultation in late 2007 asking local people and community groups what facilities they would like to see in the new Centre. Suggestions included a café, community cinema and the young people were particularly keen to have a chill-out room. However, the revised re-development has still created a centre which is right at the heart of the community, bringing a much needed social environment for local residents and place for young people to make as their own. New facilities on offer include a large spacious function hall which can be hired The youth chill-out room includes state-of-the-art equipment for the young people of the parish, giving them a place to own for themselves. It is also the new venue for the Sunday morning youth group ‘Young Believers’ and will also be the home for ‘Rock Solid’ - a new youth club launching in September 2010. Also launching this autumn will be a Community Cinema by local social enterprise Damascus Road Technical Services. So whether you are looking for a classic old romantic, an action Western, or something for the kids, the new Community Cinema will have something for everyone. The cinema will show films on a giant screen, many of which will also be recent releases. Thanks to our funders To date, we have been awarded £200,000 - Sedgefield Borough Council Local Improvement Programme (LIP) £100,000 - Local Economic Growth Initiative (LEGI) through ‘Be Enterprising’ £40,000 - The Clothworkers’ Foundation £30,000 - The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation £20,000 - Garfield Weston Foundation £20,000 - Lankelly Chase Funding has also been received from the All Churches Trust, Rank Foundation, The Armourers and Brasiers Gauntlet Trust and Mercers. And particular thanks to the many individuals for their kind donations. Backing from the Bishop of Jarrow The Rt. Revd Mark Bryant, Bishop of Jarrow has written of the project. He said: "This is a highly imaginative project which has been preceded by a good community survey and is a real attempt to address community needs particularly those of the elderly and young. "I believe that this project has a real ability to put St Paul’s Church right at the very heart of its community in terms of social care... This is one of the most exciting community based projects I have seen for some while." Thanks of support St Paul’s PCC is also grateful to those who advised and facilitated the project – especially Malcolm Cundick of Alpha Plus Architects, Allan Percival of Anchorage Initiatives, officers of Sedgefield Borough Council Strategy & Regeneration Division, Be Enterprising, CAVOS, and North East Investment Centre for an initial grant towards a Business Link Consultant. Website gallery Why not have a look at a selection of photographs showing how the building used to look in the website gallery.
St Pauls (Spennymoor) Centre Limited is a company limited by guarantee
Malcolm Cundick of Alpha Plus Architects drew up the plans, but unfortunately the recession meant funding was not as easily available and the original project had to be scaled back.
for children's parties, baptism celebrations, wedding receptions, funeral teas or any other event or community group.
The Divine and Delicious café serves breakfast items, lunch specials, teas, coffees and cakes and pastries at very competitive prices. The café is open Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm and Saturdays, 8am-2pm.
Registered Company Number 6775990
