Friday, March 14, 2025

Community centre reopens to public following £100,000 funding

A busy community centre has reopened to the public following £100,000 of funding from South Kesteven District Council.

Known locally as The Earlesfield Community Centre, the Trent Road venue serves communities in and around West Grantham.

District and Grantham Town Councillors Steve Cunnington and Lee Steptoe led the push to complete the refurbishment following investment from SKDC, which released £100,000 from its reserves.

Improvements include new windows and fire doors; security fencing to deter vandalism; a full boiler service; re-laying uneven paths; a deep clean; and removal of graffiti.

A new kitchen, installed by United Living, is being fitted to enable lettings to community groups. And Mick Townhill and the team at Grantham Fabrications donated a sturdy bench and table unit for the garden.

The venue trustees are Cllr Steptoe as Chair, joined by Cllr Cunnington, with Cllrs Tim Harrison and Paul Stokes, who is the Deputy Leader of SKDC.

Cllr Steptoe said: “I campaigned for funding for the centre from the end of Covid restrictions and was delighted when the new administration committed to it last year.

“It shows a new political will in an area that has been neglected for far too long. It also demonstrates the strength of cross-party collaboration and will allow it to become the local hub, with The Bread and Butter Thing food bank and Building Brighter Futures, already signed up as users.

“I am looking forward to working with the new Board of Trustees to develop this local asset to its full potential.”

Cllr Cunnington added: “Years of neglect are now at an end. The residents of Earlesfield now have a community centre fit for the community. We have more plans and events coming up and leading into next year, all of which are designed to benefit and brings the community together.”

More recent work by the Trustees includes securing a £3,500 commercial dishwasher courtesy of Miele and Rob Dixon, plus tech and furniture items free of charge.

Cllr Harrison said: “This shows how the Grantham Together community is pulling together in response to the SKDC investment and we’re looking forward to a bright future with such strong local support.”

The first public event was at August Bank Holiday, when a barbecue and fun day party was organised to celebrate its re-opening.

Regular events also include Line Dancing, Grantham Capoeira Club, Rabbit Club and Building Brighter Futures (with Grantham College, which provide information, guidance and one to one support for people to improve wellbeing and confidence). Bookings are being taken for individual parties and other group meeting space.

The Community Centre is a registered charity created to provide services to the people of the Earlesfield Estate.

Supporters who donated time, goods or services to the Bank Holiday event include Hope Community Cafe, Grantham Capoeira, Cleaver Meats Ltd, Morrisons, The Castle King, Watkins Grantham, Paul O’Reilly, South Kesteven District Council and Grantham Town Council.

Food hub charity The Bread and Butter Thing already uses the centre as its base for weekly events where members can collect three bags of fruit and vegetables, chilled food and cupboard staples at discounted prices.

 

Image credit: South Kesteven District Council

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our news site - please take a moment to read this important message:

As you know, our aim is to bring you, the reader, an editorially led news site and magazine but journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them.

With the Covid-19 pandemic having a major impact on our industry as a whole, the advertising revenues we normally receive, which helps us cover the cost of our journalists and this website, have been drastically affected.

As such we need your help. If you can support our news sites/magazines with either a small donation of even £1, or a subscription to our magazine, which costs just £27.55 per year, (inc p&P and mailed direct to your door) your generosity will help us weather the storm and continue in our quest to deliver quality journalism.

As a subscriber, you will have unlimited access to our web site and magazine. You'll also be offered VIP invitations to our events, preferential rates to all our awards and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Just click here to subscribe and in the meantime may I wish you the very best.

Advertisment












Latest posts

Council to help renovate 60 homes on Grimsby street

North East Lincolnshire Council are to help renovate up to 60 homes on a Grimsby street. Rutland Street, on the East Marsh, has been identified...

Regeneration of Gainsborough’s historic heart celebrated

Restored historic shopfronts and quality residential units have been unveiled in Gainsborough’s town centre. West Lindsey District Council leaders celebrated the transformation of several properties...

South Kesteven District Council offers new grants scheme for military commemorations

South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) is offering grants for community groups organising commemorations on or around the summer’s 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe and...

Business leaders invited to help shape Greater Lincolnshire’s economic future

Businesses have been invited to play a key role in the future growth of Greater Lincolnshire by becoming part of the Economic Advisory Panel. The...

Initial works to begin on Alexandra Dock housing site in Grimsby

The next step towards the complete transformation of Grimsby Town Centre’s Alexandra Dock area is being taken. Following approval at a meeting of North East...

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close