Community centre to reopen after campaign

A community centre that was closed by Derbyshire County Council is to return under the management of residents.

Last summer, the authority shut several adult education centres including the Eco Centre, near Wirksworth, as part of a review into adult education services.

The Reform UK-led authority said the decision was based on "changing priorities of the funding bodies" and a move away from physical sites to more home-based models and the use of digital technology.

The centre in Middleton-by-Wirksworth will now reopen in September following a campaign by residents, who formed a community interest company (CIC) with a vision to make the Eco Centre "a vibrant community hub".

The Ashbourne Adult Education Centre, Community House in Long Eaton, The Ritz in Matlock and the Shirebrook Adult Education Centre were also shut down after the decision last August.

But in Wirksworth, a CIC was backed by the Institute of Quarrying to bid for the lease of the centre from the council.

Cathy Cooke, a director of the Derbyshire Eco Centre CIC, said: "Hundreds of hours of time have been volunteered by many different people to make things happen, pulling together a viable business plan and getting the Eco Centre ready to start a new life."

James Thorne, CEO of the Institute of Quarrying, added: "Through securing the Eco Centre, we can significantly accelerate delivery of our shared ambitions, expanding sustainable development education, strengthening community partnerships and enhancing opportunities for local people."

Courses including dry stone walling, gardening, green woodworking, nature-inspired art, herbal remedies and photography are set to take place, alongside a programme of events to teach life skills to residents.

Other planned uses for the centre include a community-led pottery group, and alternative provision for young people who are not thriving in education.

The CIC plans to operate the centre, which was built in 2010, as a pilot for the first two years, said director Lorelei Jarvis.

"The Eco Centre is unique, not least because of the building and its tranquil, rural setting," she added.

"We'll learn what works best for us and for those attending, and we'll build links with the Derbyshire community, with businesses and regional partners, to understand how we can work together.

"I used to come here for ceramics, it was a massive loss. We went on a demonstration when the news came out, got a group together immediately after that, and it's been a year pretty much to the point we got the keys.

"I'm really looking forward to just seeing it occupied and being used."

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