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Search the Public Notice PortalResidents of a County Durham village are coming together in an effort to save their community hall from closure.
The community centre was previously a Church of England school in Startforth, near Barnard Castle, until it closed in 2016.
Maintained by dedicated volunteers, it now provides a weekly lunch club, daily nursery, community cafe, forest school and much more.
A building survey earlier this year found a number of maintenance issues that needed fixing for the centre to keep running.
Residents are now hoping to raise the money needed to carry out repairs at their hall.
Trustee Maggie Rhodes, 75, said the community hall "is the only hub in the village".
She said: "We felt that without additional help or more funding, we couldn't continue. We're just seeing if we can keep it going forward.
"People want to keep it open to use, because it's needed. People have kids' birthday parties, Christmas parties, funerals, and all sorts here. It's the only thing we have left really."
The hall is co-owned by Durham County Council and the Anglican Diocese of Leeds. It is maintained by the trustees.
"As a result of the appeals we have had some people come forward who are willing to be trustees or volunteers, so we're currently seeing if that's viable and also trying to carry on as we were," added Maggie.
"Luckily, some of the new people coming forward are in their late 20s and early 30s, which would be brilliant for longevity. We need some young blood to keep it open longer."
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The current group of trustees are arranging a meeting in the coming week to discuss the potential of new volunteers joining the centre.
Residents can support the centre by coming to the monthly Community Café, which raises funds for the upkeep of the building.
The next date is Monday, December 1, 10am to 11.30am.
Anna Wills, Durham County Council’s interim head of corporate estates and strategic programme, said the council are currently in discussions with the trustees of the centre "regarding a potential community asset transfer which would see that group taking on the lease".
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Leeds said they have "been trying to support the trustees and will continue to do so as they explore funding options".
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