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New lease of life for centre
Sep 7, 2010
FORMER pupils made a special return to their old school on the day the building was officially opened as a community centre.
The Carlbeck school, in Lunedale, closed in 1958 and the building later fell into disrepair.
Residents paid £1 for the freehold and then set about revamping the site, thanks to large grants from the Big Lottery Fund and North Pennines AONB.
The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne opened the new-look building on Sunday during a celebration event.
And former pupils, including residents who went to the school in the 1930s, gathered to give the project their seal of approval.
Margaret Dent, who was a member of the last class, said: “The transformation has been a long-time coming and we’re all very, very pleased.”
“The community has been so supportive – it’s been a real team effort.”
Ex-pupil Colin Staley added: “The building seemed so big when we were children but it seems much smaller now. But they’ve done a great job redeveloping it.”
Lunedale residents decided to turn the old school into a community centre in 2002.
After trying to organise a Queen’s Golden Jubilee party, villagers realised they had no central meeting place.
Lunedale has no shop, school, pub or post office and residents wanted somewhere for village events – including craft groups, spinning and weaving, pilates, dominoes and parish council meetings.
Lunedale Community Association was given control of the old school from Lord Strathmore in 2006 after he sold the freehold to villagers.
The revamped Carlbeck Centre is believed to be the first public building in the country to use sheep wool as insulation.
Local farmers provided fleeces that were cut up and then placed in the roof space.
Residents hope a small wind turbine will provide a surplus of electricity in the summer that can be sold to the national grid. A ground source heat pump will also power under-floor heating.
At the opening, Lord Strathmore praised the work done by residents.
He said: “I am tremendously honoured to be asked here to open the building. As you can see, it has come a long way from a humble £1 beginning several years ago and I wish the people of Lunedale years of enjoyment.”
Other residents said they were delighted with the building.
Andrew Moffatt, who lives nearby, said: “The building was in such a poor state but it looks great now. The nice thing is that it is going to be used by the community for all sorts of events.”
At the weekend, residents launched a raffle to help pay for finishing touches, including pictures to go on the walls.
Prizes include boxed whole lamb, £100 and holiday accommodation.