THE “pipe dream” of creating a heritage centre in Lymm village is set to become a reality.
The project was originally the brain-child of ex-councillor Su Williams.
At the time it looked like a huge challenge especially in a village where property is at a premium and commercial rents are high.
But now work is starting on a major transformation of the former Royal British Legion Club on Legh St.
Featuring a new pitched slated roof with skylight windows and striking modern glass front, the building is set to become “Lymm Heritage Centre” .
The building conversion itself is being funded by new owner Howard Platt who is a keen supporter of the concept of the Heritage Centre.
It will then be leased to the Heritage Centre group on very generous rental terms. In the meantime the group is seeking funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as receiving welcome support from other local organisations and funding bodies.
“The project has developed amazingly” explained Su.
“The more that we went into it the more we began to realise and understand what was needed and how it could benefit the whole community,” she said.
Central to the project will be opportunities for learning for all local schools from the very youngest up to senior students at Lymm High School.
Statham School Head Jane Rooney said: “We are excited about the prospect of the new centre. Studying local history is an important aspect of the key stage 1 and 2 curriculum. Lymm is a village with a rich heritage from trades like fustian cutting and gold beating to the important transport history like the Bridgewater and Manchester Ship Canals. We welcome the opportunity for our pupils to access a Heritage Centre which offers the chance to explore our local history in greater depth.”
The centre will also provide a great new destination for visitors in a village centre that is coming to depend more and more on tourism for its continued prosperity.
The Lymm Heritage Centre Group – which is now a registered charity – is run entirely by a group of dedicated volunteers.
There is now a core management team of ten people in place but new skills and contributions are always welcome.
Over the coming months the Centre will be looking to build an enthusiastic team of volunteers who will be trained to staff the Centre and welcome visitors. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity now would a be good time to register your interest. The Centre also needs more local financial support in order to become sustainable in the long term – preferably in the form of a regular “friends” subscription.
Find out more at www.lymmhic.co.uk or call Su on 01925-754080
Meanwhile local man Ted Owen took a trip down Memory Lane recently. Born in 1932 he spent his first years living in what are now the offices of CB3 Design.
Keven Lester of CB3 was the designer for the new Heritage Centre on Legh St.
Later on the group, (pictured top) including Su Williams and Ray Banton who built the model of the new Centre, visited the site of the new Centre on Legh Street where Ted described his life as a child in one of three cottages that used to occupy the area.”
One of the many items which has been collected to go on display in the heritage centre
