A VILLAGE has celebrated the opening of a new community centre following ten years of campaigning for the facility.

Residents were joined for the official opening of the Burnhope Community Centre by Durham Police Chief Chief Constable Mike Barton and community centre trustee, Councillor Ossie Johnson.

After working together with a variety of partners, including the Mid Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP), Burnhope residents now have a facility that is available to members of the community for a range of activities and events.

The Mid Durham AAP supported the group through their journey to successfully accrue the £750,000 that was needed to deliver and manage the new building.

Over £500,000 of the funding for the centre came from a successful bid to the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund.

Cllr Johnson, the Durham County Council’s cabinet member for tourism, culture, leisure and rural issues, contributed £12,500 from his neighbourhood budget, alongside former Cllr Richie Young who committed £10,000, and Cllr Jude Considine who gave £2,500.

The Mid Durham APP contributed a further £15,000 bringing the total to £40,000.

Numerous other trusts have supported the development including Sir James Knott, Bernard Sunley, Garfield Weston, Clothworkers, Trusthouse, Rothley, Foyles and Catherine Cookson.

Derek Coates, chairman of Burnhope Community Centre, said: “Although this has taken a long time to arrive, with a great deal of hard work from so many residents and partners the end product is a credit to the village of Burnhope.

“Burnhope now has the facility to support itself and help make sure residents both young and old can improve their quality of life as well as their futures”.

Supporting the event were Durham Police, the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Age UK County Durham, Wellbeing for Life, Durham County Council’s culture and sport team, Durham Community Action, and Bullion Hall. Consett Detached Youth Project put on family activities at the opening promoting what the centre has to offer. For more information visit www.burnhopecommunitycentre.co.uk.