STAMPEDE to the Winkleigh Community Centre next Wednesday (March 1), for an open day organised by the Community Centre of Winkleigh Support group (CCOWS). The group will have on show plans and ideas for securing the future of the much-loved building. Devon County Council previously declared its intention to ?dispose? of the centre and land, as it was surplus to requirements. It gave Winkleigh the chance to put together a case for buying the community centre, if villagers showed it could be managed in a sustainable way. In September 2004, CCOWS was formed to put that case together. Since then it has been busy researching and developing a feasibility study and business plan to prove how the community?s vision is viable. CCOWS treasurer Janet Daynes said: ?Having established that a majority of Winkleigh wished to keep the community centre, much research and consultation has taken place to find out what improvements and added services the community wanted. ?CCOWS has worked closely with the parish plan to find out the ?bigger picture? from the community and has also been helped enormously by the Community Council of Devon who have guided us through the process.? The community centre is a Victorian gothic grade II listed building which requires refurbishment and needs to meet eco-friendly and sustainable criteria. CCOWS was successful in acquiring a grant from UnLtd and DEFRA to cover the costs of the feasibility study and business plan. The architects Assinder Turnham were appointed to pick up the community?s needs and aspirations and transform them into a practical plan for the modernisation of the centre. The centre was originally built in 1876 as a board school, but since a new primary school was built in the village 34 years ago, it has been used for a variety of uses. In keeping with the building?s educational past, it is hoped the refurbished centre will house a community archive and multi-functional learning room. Villagers have been invited to come along between 2pm and 8pm on March 1, and meet the architects and others involved then chew the cud with CCOWS over tea or coffee and cake. For more information, call 01837 83925.
