Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has secured £250,000 of central Government funding for an innovative community project bringing life back into a retired church in Croglin.
Dr Hudson threw his support behind the Helm Croglin - a small team transforming Croglin village's listed St John's Church into a bright new visitor centre and community hub - when he visited in February and has since supported the group as they press ahead with their ambitious plans. This included writing letters of support for the community project, lobbying ministers and joining the team as they pursue funding avenues.
Sat among the North Pennines, the new space will act as an educational hub for visitors exploring the area - housing a permanent exhibition showcasing the history and natural environment of the surrounding countryside.
The Church has set empty since 2012 but this new funding will help equip the space with a kitchen, toilet and space to house a post office. Inside visitors will be able to find a lending library, regular pop-up cafe, warm hub and flexible space for hire and use by school field trips. There are even plans to make the fells more accessible by providing an all-terrain wheelchair for hire.
Previously the team secured £20,000 from the now-defunct Eden District Council, but this new Government funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities' Community Ownership Fund represents the team's largest investment by far.
With a new round of funding open, Dr Hudson is encouraging local groups to apply and take advantage of the opportunity to bring beloved local assets such as pubs and village halls into community ownership where their future is in doubt.
The Helm Croglin team hold regular events to inform, engage and raise more funds for the project. Their last event was a Wildlife Walk and people can stay up to date via The Helm Croglin's Facebook page.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
"This is amazing news for one of our many vibrant rural communities. I must applaud the tenacity and dedication of the Helm Croglin team who have worked tirelessly to secure a future vision for their beautiful, retired church building. It has been a pleasure to work alongside them to secure this monumental Government funding.”
"From providing a community hub where locals can take advantage of a regular pop-up cafe and post office to drawing visitors into the village to explore the wonderful natural environment and spend their money growing the local economy - this announcement is an unmitigated win for people across the North Pennines."
Dr Hudson is a keen champion of the Community Ownership Fund and wrote to community groups, charities and parish councils with information and advice on how to apply. Round 3 of the fund is currently accepting applications and the MP's Office is available to support those wishing to apply.
The Government has published its bidding prospectus with detailed guidance from eligibility criteria and funding information to assessment criteria and the overall decision-making process. You can find the prospectus here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-ownership-fund-prospectus. For additional help from Dr Hudson's team, prospective applicants are advised to contact [email protected]. Round 3 Window 1 will close at 11:59am (midday) on 12th July 2023.
Dr Neil Hudson MP added:
"Community groups and councils are an integral part of the fabric of society in rural areas and so it is so important that they are in the driving seat of our treasured local institutions. There is still so much economic and social potential waiting to be unlocked across Penrith and The Border, so I do encourage those eligible to apply as soon as possible.
"I’ve seen community ownership work first-hand in our villages and towns and am passionate about the value it can bring to rural areas such as ours. I have worked closely with folk in Bampton who raised £400,000 to reopen the Mardale Inn, where I was privileged to pull pints behind the bar on opening weekend, and with the folk of Kirkoswald who saved and now run their fantastic Community Shop."
