Welcome to the village run by community volunteers

Trawden has a population of about 2,000

A village in Lancashire has made headlines around the world thanks to its residents taking volunteering to the next level.

The people of Trawden have revitalised facilities in the village, improved the quality of life there, and built lifelong friendships.

Trawden, a village of about 2,000 people, lies about two miles to the east of Colne.

More than 100 members of the rural community regularly give up their time to improve village life, and more than 400 of them clubbed together to save their local pub, the Trawden Arms, in 2021.

Steven Wilcock said the volunteers have done a marvellous thing for the village

Villagers started taking matters into their own hands 10 years ago when a lack of funding meant its community centre was at risk of closure.

Trawden Forest Parish Council approached one of its former members, Steven Wilcock, and asked him whether he would be interested in taking over the building.

Steven Wilcock, the founding chairman of the community centre, said: "I'll never forget taking the keys on 7 October 2014, thinking 'my goodness, what have we done?'"

He need not have worried, however, with villagers refurbishing the building.

Molly Ralphson co-ordinates the village shop's team of volunteers

Perhaps with that in mind, when the last village shop closed, the community decided to open its own store.

The shop is now staffed entirely by volunteers, with Molly Ralphson co-ordinating the team.

"We need 68 different volunteers just to do one shift a week to keep the shop open," she explained.

"It is a big ask but it is lovely - people look out for each other.

"There is a real sense of community and that is a lot to do with the community centre and the shop being here."

Anne Boocock said it was "great" to have community control over services

It is clear that the volunteers get a lot more than just somewhere to buy their groceries.

Anne Boocock, who chairs the Trawden Forest community centre, said: "Before I was a volunteer I hardly knew anybody in the village but I've met more people in four years than I have met in the previous 30."

Mr Wilcock added: "It has created new friendships and that's a marvellous thing."

'Support package'

However, he did say he would like it if Lancashire County Council "made it easier" for volunteers to take over redundant public buildings.

Mr Wilcock said he believed it was the "way forward" for small communities.

Lancashire County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: "A number of libraries in Lancashire are now community-run and we offered a package of support to help establish them.

"This included a one-off payment to provide public internet access and cover set-up costs and providing shelving and an initial supply of books.

"A specially appointed community library manager also offered advice and guidance, including having an appropriate constitution, gaining charitable status, fundraising, setting milestones, stock management and training volunteers."