28/04/2026
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR CAN MAKE
Some of you may recall that a year or so ago there were a lot of rumours in the village that the Community Centre was going to close. There were a lot of local concerns and many people in the village offered their opinions about the detrimental impact the closure would have to the community which already has limited facilities. The situation was described by some as like there being a 'black cloud' hanging over Wingate.
At the time of the rumours the Parish Council was not responsible for the Community Centre and had no say in how it was managed and operated. However, it did not want the Community Centre to close and so it began discussions with the then Community Association and the Trustees of it to try and reach a plan for the Community Centre to remain open.
The discussions and negotiations resulted in the Parish Council agreeing to become the sole Trustee of the Association and to take responsibility for the Community Centre. This became effective from May last year. However, the Parish Council and the Community Association remain separate organisations.
Operating the Community Centre and keeping it open has proved to be very difficult with limited resources available both in terms of money and staff. There has been a significant dependence on volunteering. There is no doubt that there have been one or two 'bumps on the road' during the last year and while the new Association may not have got everything right it has certainly tried its very best.
In the background and behind the scenes, a lot of work has gone on to look at grant funding opportunities to try and keep the Community Centre open in the longer term and to retain it as a community asset. There has been a recognition that without grant funding there was a probability the Community Centre would have to close.
Over the last few months discussions have taken place with the National Lottery particularly which included a representative from the funding team visiting the Community Centre and seeing what a great facility is on offer and what great potential it has.
The Association then began a grant funding application which led to hour upon hour of work and months of discussions. The application process included the Association outlining the impact the Community Centre could have on the lives on those in the village if it stayed open and the impact it would have if it closed. A story had to be told that would convince the National Lottery that the Association and the Community Centre were worth investing in.
All of the time and hard work have resulted in some great news.
The National Lottery has been convinced by the story we were able to tell and so it has agreed to provide the Association with grant funding of £254,235 over the next 3 years towards the running costs of the Community Centre and to enable a new Community Centre Manager to be appointed.
Hopefully the 'black cloud' has been lifted and the future of the Community Centre has been secured, certainly for the next 3 years at least. While a lot of hard work has taken place, more hard work will be required to ensure the Community Centre can meet the aims of the Association and the expectations of the National Lottery which is to provide a facility which can best impact on the lives and interests of those in Wingate.
We look forward to keeping you up to date as things progress, please support us along the journey we are about to begin.
