South Brent Old School Community Centre provides an ever-increasing range of community activities and facilities, but in a building that is nearly 150 years old, and which is showing its age.
The Centre is owned by the South Brent Old School Community Centre charity and managed by a group of trustees. The trustees are charged with managing the building and, under its charitable powers, providing facilities and services for everyone in South Brent and the surrounding area. The need is great, and ever growing, and we want to ensure we can continue to support the local community for the next 150 years.
The fabric of the Old School building has reached a stage whereby the trustees consider it necessary to embark on a major renovation initiative, focusing mainly on the roof but considering other potential improvements such as solar panels on the roof and energy efficiency measures within the building. We are also exploring options to improve the access to the Centre, the internal layout and the option to create rooms and offices in the roof space.
For the last year we have been conducting a range of technical surveys and assessments, and we are now at the stage of consulting with our partners and the community about our proposed plans and ideas. We are therefore keen to hear your views on our plans for the future.
We need your help to secure the future of our Community Centre for the next 150 years!
Help us to make the Old School Community Centre warm, dry and welcoming so we can continue to serve the community long into the future! Click here to see our proposals.
Please fill in our Consultation Survey
Your views are really important to us! You can fill the Survey in online by scanning this QR code or by clicking here: Click here to complete our Consultation Survey
Alternatively, paper copies of the Survey are available from the Old School Community Centre, Art House, the Village Shop, Hannah’s Charity Shop, the Village Hall, and the Rec Pavilion.
Visit us at one of our Consultation Drop In Sessions
Tell us what you think in person and have conversations with our Trustees about the future plans. Drop in to the Old School Community Centre on any of the following dates:
- Mon 9th Sept 10am – 1pm
- Wed 11th Sept 10am – 1pm
- Wed 18th Sept 2pm – 4pm
- Mon 23rd Sept 10am – 1pm
- Tue 24th Sept 6pm – 8pm
- Tue 8th Oct 6pm – 8pm
Read our Display
Find out more about our proposals and celebrate how much the Old School is at the heart of the community. Pop into the Old School Community Centre and see our display in the corridor. You can’t miss it!
Donate to our Fundraising Campaign
We’ve got a lot to raise in order to secure the future of the Centre, and every little helps. Donate now via our Just Giving page!
Thank You for Your Input – Your Support Counts!
Together, we can make the Old School Community Centre warm, dry and welcoming, ensuring it can continue to be an essential part of the South Brent Community for another 150 years!
Our Proposals – Plans for the Future
1. Replace the Roof
Repair the 150-year-old timberwork and replace battens, felt and slates, making the roof safe, durable and watertight.
2. Solar Panels and Insulation
Fully insulate the roof and generate as much electricity as we can from solar panels, reducing our impact on the environment and lowering our energy bills.
3. New Eco-Friendly Heating System
Upgrade the internal heating system in the most efficient way possible, ensuring that the Centre will be warm without costing the earth. Air source heat pumps or infared systems are being considered.
Tell us what you think of these proposals! Click here to complete our Consultation Survey
Future Aspirations
In the next 5-10 years, if we could raise significant extra funds, we could be even more ambitious and consider the following (if there was sufficient local interest and need):
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Improved Entrance and Toilet Facilities
The current entrance to the Centre could be replaced with a new foyer and atrium, and new toilets, creating a more welcoming entrance to the building.
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Better Use of the Roof Space
There’s a lot of space in the roof! We could renovate the roof space to create 8 or 9 rooms / offices / studios to be let to local businesses, charities, artists or individuals, creating a vibrant work hub, and extending our ability to provide a home for local groups.
Tell us what you think of these proposals! Click here to complete our Consultation Survey
