Preliminary design work starts. Local fund raising leaps forward. Major village community study gets under way.

Architects appointed to do feasibility study.
Green Design, Cockermouth-based architects, have been appointed by the Parish Council to produce preliminary plans for the revitalised village hall. They have been asked to come up with design options which meet all the aspirations set out in the brief – flexible community centre, coffee shop, modern toilets and access, minimal heating requirements, low maintenance costs – in a scheme of which Threlkeld can be proud, to serve the village for generations to come. This is likely to involve an extension to the rear of the existing hall, and also a second storey. The front of the building will remain much as it is however – the challenge is to mix the old and the new, modern with the traditional.

Various options will be put to the Action Group, the Management Committee and Parish Council members in December. They will select the preferred option to take forward. This will be developed into a scheme to be presented to a general community meeting, probably in January 2008.

Once we have a scheme, the hard work of raising large-scale funding will begin. But we will then have a clear vision of what we are after.

Liaison with the architects is being handled by Alison Critchlow.

Threlkeld Pilot Study financed by the Lake District National Park

The Len Cockroft Consultancy has commenced work on the major study of Threlkeld facilities and services. A questionnaire will be circulated to all residents of Threlkeld and surrounding areas (including the Quarry) in the next few weeks. This contains important questions about the use of the village hall. Details of the survey are given elsewhere in Beneath Blencathra. Members of the Action Group will be assisting in distributing and collecting the questionnaires. It is very important that we get a high level of response to this questionnaire survey.

Public Meeting
A public meeting is scheduled for 17 October 2007, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. This is the Annual Meeting of the Public Room and the new Village Hall Trust. A full progress report on the revitalisation scheme will be given, and any questions answered. All welcome to attend.

It was hoped that there would be a presentation from the architects at this meeting, but it it is too soon for this.

This meeting will also help select the design to go on a Threlkeld T-shirt and mugs – to have a say in this key decision you must attend.

Local fund raising
The local fund raising effort has gone way beyond £5000, in fact is approaching £6000. This is over a third of the way towards our target. A separate piece in Beneath Blencathra gives more details. The Threlkeld Extravaganza was a financial success, but in addition everyone who attended and who helped out seemed to really enjoy it. It is planned to repeat it next year.

Thanks
Once again many thanks to the increasing number of people who are pitching in to support this project. It really is involving all sectors of our local community.

If anyone wants to assist, or thinks they might be able to contribute in some way, please get in touch with Trevor or Jane Roberts.
Email for more info.