Villagers battling to save 'heart' of community

Startforth has no other community buildings to hold events in

A village is banding together to try to save a community hall at risk of closure.

Residents in Startforth village near Barnard Castle, County Durham, are hoping to raise money to carry out repairs at their hall, which used to be a primary school.

Becky Welsh, a new trustee of the hall, said her grandad was given the keys to the property when the school closed in 2016 and she hoped to honour his promise "to look after it".

She has called for more volunteers to come forward with ideas for events and fundraisers which could secure the long-term future of the "heart of the community".

The hall is co-owned by Durham County Council and the Anglican Dioceses of Leeds and maintained by the trustees.

Ms Welsh said the centre was one of the only places for people to meet in Startforth village as they had "no cafes, pubs or shops".

"With the recent passing of my grandad I want to try and do my best to keep this space alive and thriving," she said.

"Like him, I believe in the power of community spaces - they are a place where generations can come together.

"We are looking for people to help with the day-to-day running running of the centre and to help organise and run fundraising solutions."

'Vital hubs'

Fellow trustee Maggie Rhodes said the community hall "creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together".

She said: "In these challenging times, such spaces are more than helpful - they're essential.

"We need to protect and support these vital hubs."

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Leeds said they have "been trying to support the trustees and will continue to do so as they explore funding options".

Anna Wills, Durham County Council's interim head of corporate estates, said the site was maintained by trustees "with a view to a community asset transfer which would see that group taking on a lease".

She said: "We are sorry to hear of the trustees' position but while they continue to occupy the site, it would not be appropriate for us to publicly discuss its future."