The Redevelopment Project

The Harrold Centre Redevelopment Project

After much effort the redeveloped Harrold Centre reopened on 1st September 2017 with much improved and expanded facilities.  The renewed Centre includes new toilets with a separate disabled toilet, new kitchen and bar area, a spacious entrance lobby, an extended main hall and better use of existing space.  The building is now and attractive, light, clean and airy and suitable and welcoming for a wide range of community activities.

We believe that “The Centre” should be just that – the centre of the village – always open, always busy at work, rest or play with something for everyone.

In the last few years the population of Harrold has almost doubled and its needs are constantly evolving.  The redevelopment project has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redevelop the Centre to meet those needs.  The needs of all:  the young, the old, the disadvantaged, home workers, mums, those who can’t get out much, those who want to get fit, those who want to keep fit.  A centre for arts, sports and the community it serves. Potential uses are only limited by imagination and the energy to make it happen.

The Centre was tired; and more importantly, no longer fit-for-purpose.  It was originally built around the turn of the 20th century and last had a major update in the early 1960s; 50 years ago!  It was time for change, and we believe the project has delivered to expectations and to meet the needs of the community. 

The redevelopment would not have been possible without the valued support of the many individuals who either donated funds or organised fundraising events. The names of our major funders below are on display in the building’s Atrium and shown below.

Adhoc Drama Group Gale Family Charity Trust
Alexander Media & Production Services Garfield Weston Foundation
Allchurches Trust Harpur Trust
Asda Foundation Harrold Calvados Society
Aviva Community Fund Harrold Parish Council
Beatrice Laing Trust Hobson Charity
Bedford Borough Council Howdens Joinery
Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation John Laing Charitable Trust
Big Lottery Fund Paul Young Financial Advisors
Borough Councillor’s Ward Fund Tusting Family
Connolly Foundation Willow Songs Ltd
Co-op Local Community Fund Wixamtree Trust
Foyle Foundation

 

We continue to make improvements and aim to further increase the use and range of events held in the Centre for the community. To help run our events we need more volunteers, so if you would like to help please do get in touch.

Once the main building works to get the building operational were completed, important additional works have been completed, including, provision of exterior cycle racks, acoustic panels in the Connelly Hall, broadband access throughout the building, display areas for local artists, new partition curtaining in the Atrium, and fitting out of a room suitable for medical consultations.

In addition the Centre is now home to a permanent local heritage exhibition.  The Centre holds a significant place in the history of the village and the display focuses on the history of the building and the village, and its important connections with the local leather trade.  Northampton Museum of Leathercraft have agreed to support us by the loan on a regular basis of various temporary exhibits.  Extension and enhancement of the display is ongoing.

Storage space in The Centre remains an issue and we would like to have a seperate storage building situated adjacent to the existing main hall – sufficient storage space is at a premiuim and this will allow the existing and new user groups to store their equipment. The addition of such an extension would be the priority for any further major developments.

    Buy a Brick to support the Harrold Centre and to be remembered on our sponsorship wall. Click here: Buy a Brick Application Form

    The Official Reopening

    The Redevelopment Team

    Dancevybz at the Reopening

    Councillor Alison Foster

    The Build in Progress