£72k raisd in ‘exciting project’ to save village chapel

A SHARE offer launched to help purchase a former Staffordshire Moorlands chapel to enable it to be used as a community facility has raised £66,900.

The figure does not include a £5,000 share offer agreed by Kingsley Parish Council at its meeting last week, which will increase the amount to almost £72,000.

Kingsley Holt chapel closed for weekly religious services in 2019, although the meeting room remained in use.

Now Kingsley Holt Centre, which is a community group, wants to open up the chapel for social space.

Residents were stunned last June when a notice was pinned to the chapel door indicating that the Methodist Moorlands Circuit – Management

Committee had decided that the building and land were to be sold. If the community group were successful in the purchase of the building it would be used as a community centre for all organisations plus the possibility of a shop and cafe.

A spokesman for the Kingsley Holt Centre, said: “Anyone that may have had doubts about this project will hopefully now realise that we are serious, we are serious about reopening this building for the community and protecting its future. “We now have a membership rapidly growing in number and consisting of individuals, companies, groups, and businesses that have not only offered support but have invested in the project. This is an exciting project, a vitally important project and a one and only opportunity to save part of our heritage for generations to come.

“Whatever happens in the coming weeks this demonstrates that the only outcome our community wants to see, and will support, is the continued use of this building for and by the community.

“Now is not the time to sit on the fence wait and see, hope it all works out alright. Every single penny counts, every new member helps, every volunteer is important. Now we need to break through that minimum of £100K target, please don’t wait until it’s too late, help save our space, become part of something exciting and special today.

“A fabulous building is empty, unused, waiting to become part of our community again, please help in anyway you possibly can.”

Speaking at Kingsley Parish Council meeting, Councillor John Steele said: “We have been supportive of this, but not financially at this time.

“I have looked at the business plan and share offer. Now we have to think about a financial contribution. If we make a donation and the building is not bought, we would get the money back.”

Councillor Martyn Hordern said: “Lets get behind them. I think £5,000 is appropriate.” Councillors voted to approve the proposal.

Further information can be found on the website www. kingsleyholtcentre.co.uk or e-mail info@kingsleyholtcentre.co.uk

A drop-in session for people interested in the project will be held at the Blacksmith Arms tonight, Wednesday, April 20 between 6pm8pm

For a private and confidential conversation, please call 07443 397522 or write to or call in at 16 Sidney Drive, Kingsley Holt.