Trimdon Grange Community Centre is over 100 years old. The Community Centre is unique in Trimdon Grange, being the only community building where people can meet, relax and have fun. Although the building is owned by Durham County Council a Management Committee (formed in 1960) of local people oversee the day to day running of the Centre and keep the wheels in motion. In recent years, the Management Committee have worked together to keep the building alive, of which work included; 1998-1999 new windows and doors, central heating, new flooring and lighting, fully decorated inside and out, car park resurfaced as well as a community garden in 2000.
We are DDA compliant with ladies and gents toilets and kitchen to provide for the disabled, the ramp in the car park and automatic door to the main entrance. We also have CCTV, security lighting and a new roof in December 2008 which we hope to install Solar panels very soon. We have also had our wooden floor restored back to its former glory, definitely worth a visit.
We have 10 computers with broadband and wireless internet access to the community centre which have been recently upgraded.
We also have a room displaying the Miners Banner for Trimdon Grange – a great piece of history. We are working closely with members of the community to bring back to Trimdon photographs of the history of the pit-village and to display them in our centre.
We have also worked hard to install the Play Area and the Multi User Games Area, we are very proud of achieving this by working together with the community , Groundworks and Community Spaces and our local Councillors. In 2019, we held our very first Armed Forces day this was in June and was an amazing day, the weather was great and we all pulled together to achieve this hugely successful day, here to the next one in 2020!! In December 2019 we were again successful in obtaining funding from the Wind farm, and have installed a beautiful indoor marquee to be able to host parties of all kinds
In 1965 Durham County Council owned the Community Centre building, which previously been used as a local school. The Durham County Council agreed to hand over the lease of the building to the local residents to operate the building on a voluntary basis.
The local community agreed to provide facilities for the benefit of residents of Trimdon Grange and surrounding area. The first task was to form a Management Committee, adopt a constitution, agree aims, objectives, and make application to the charity commission for charitable status.
Our the years the Community Centre Management Committee members have consulted and implemented change, which has been for the benefit for the local community and centre:-
Internal Refurbishments
New IT suite
Environmental improvements
Education Courses (life long learning)
Social Activities
The Management Committee encourage new members to share ideas, new skills and knowledge and experience.
The Trimdon Community Centre Management have developed and implemented a fund raising strategy, with the support from the local residents, Trusts, user groups, agencies and organisations. Over several thousand pounds has been raised. This enabled the internal refurbished of the building and the outside environmental improvements.
On behalf of the community, the Management Committee received the Centre of the Year Award in 2001 and 2002 from Durham County Federation of Community Organisations.
The Management Committee are local residents who have a interest in providing community facilities.
The Trimdon Grange Community Centre, works in partnership with the community and welcomes new members.
Trimdon Grange Banner group have displayed the "Miners Banner"within the centre, it is suited in a prominent area for viewing.
May 2015, the new and old Management Committee have joined forces, Durham County Council have handed over complete responsibility to the committee in Asset Transfer, we have also changed Charitable Status to CIO and the future is looking great! Why not take a look at our latest Annual Report below for more information
October 2020 we have been succesful in obtaining funding for a paid community worker thanks to funds from the National Lottery, this is the first time EVER we have had a paid worker insitu and are hugely proud of our achievement in obtaining this funding. They will work along side our amazing, committed volunteers and link in with other local groups, professionals and health services to provide a bigger and better community for Trimdon Grange :) This also enables us to have the community centre open every weekday from 10am-12noon for drop ins, social distanced classes and future ideas all welcome.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE TRIMDON TIMES WEBSITE FOR THE OLD PHOTOGRAPHS OF TRIMDON GRANGE, SOME REAL HISTORY!!
http://galleries.trimdon.net/trimdon-history/eddie-pikes-photo-collections/eddie-pikes-photo-collections-trimdon-grange/