Lottery cash saves village school

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has come to the rescue of Clark's Old School Foundation in Wigglesworth – which is receiving an additional 59,000, bringing the total grant to 324,600.

Clark's Old School Foundation will use the cash to refurbish and extend the current community centre housed in an old school building dating back to 1798.

The improved building, which is due to open in December this year, will offer a wide range of amenities and activities for the whole community as a vastly improved centre for village life.

Speaking on behalf of the trustees of Clarke's Old School, Wigglesworth, David Clarke said: "The additional Lottery funding means a great deal to Wigglesworth. With work now underway, it will mean that within 12 months the village will have use of a modern and truly adaptable facility that caters for children, the young and the old, business support activities, village and club events.

"This grant will not just ensure the upgrading and future of this key facility for Wigglesworth, but will contribute to maintaining the spirit, involvement and togetherness that is essential for the survival of rural communities such as ours."

The building's life began as a community facility in 1964 following the closure of the school.

Since the 1990s, the quality of the building has been deteriorating leading to a decline in its use.

A new extension is set to provide new toilets, a kitchen, a play area and storage.

The centre will be environmentally friendly with a new heating system and will be fully accessible for disabled users.

Once complete, the refurbished centre will provide a home to a number of new services including a youth group, IT facilities and a luncheon club for older people.

Advice groups, exercise and craft classes, a drama group and a cafe will also be based at the former school.

Clark's Old School or Clark's Free School for the Children of Wigglesworth, was built as the result of a legacy in 1798 from Lawrence Clark.

The pedlar who often visited the village died in 1789 .

The community centre is just one of 22 projects throughout England sharing in 2m to top up their previous funding which comes from BIG's Community Buildings programme.

Vanessa White, Big Lottery Fund head of Yorkshire and Humber, said: "It's been well documented how community groups have suffered financially during these harsh economic times so it gives me great pleasure to see this funding heading the way of a truly worthwhile project in the Dales.

"On this occasion, we've been able to top up the original funding to help ensure the community does not suffer."

The funding follows on from the community buildings programme, launched in 2006 with 50m for bricks and mortar investments in community centres and village halls across England.

These "hubs" often serve as the heart of a close-knit community, providing a base for essential services and a range of social activities that bring local people together, according to Lottery authorities

Community buildings invests in buildings that give communities a chance to improve their quality of life and meet local needs, through offering a range of activities and services open to a broad range of people.

A total of 50m was distributed across England over three years to 2009, with grants of 50,000 to 500,000 available.