A COUNCIL has handed over a 200-year-old community building to a village for use by its voluntary organisations and a museum.

The historic building, situated between the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum and Great Ayton Discovery Centre, has been given to Great Ayton Parish Council.

Hambleton District Council decided on Tuesday, July 15 to hand over the property to the parish for community use after it could find no workable purpose for it.

It is believed Broadacres Housing Association previously leased the house from Hambleton, but a large amount of money would have to have been spent on the property bringing it up to modern living standards and the lease was not renewed.

The property is situated on the High Street, between Great Ayton Discovery Centre and the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum, and there is speculation the building could be used for storing museum artefacts.

The building could also be used as a venue for one of the village’s many voluntary organisations.

The Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum reopened about a year ago after undergoing an extensive £200,000 refurbishment.

It was extended over two floors and interactive displays telling the story of the voyages of one of the world’s most famous explorers. In addition to existing displays about the young Capt Cook and the school in Great Ayton, new features and a stronger emphasis on the history of the village were added, using research carried out by the Great Ayton History Society over the past six years.

The Grade II listed building is on the site of the school James Cook attended and was where he received his first and only education, between 1736 and 1740. After his departure the schoolroom was rebuilt to become a poor house for destitute old people from the village.

Ron Kirk, a Hambleton District Councillor and Great Ayton Parish Councillor, said they were in the process of talking to three or four local charities, including the museum, about using the building.

“It will probably involve a number of local charities being able to use it for different purposes,” he said.

“There’s always been an understanding it would eventually be available for community use.

“It’s not one of the most valuable properties here, but it’s very valuable as far as the community is concerned. We have a lot of voluntary organisations here.”

Legal contracts will now need to be drawn up and the change of use will have to be ratified by Hambleton District Council’s planning department before any decisions on its use can be finalised.