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Former school reopens as community hub after £30,000 campaign
Pickenham Hub has opened at the former St Andrews CE Primary Academy in North Pickenham. Picture: Victoria Pertusa - Credit: Archant
A disused old school has officially opened as a community facility following a tireless fundraising campaign.
Pickenham Hub has opened at the former St Andrews CE Primary Academy in North Pickenham. Picture: Victoria Pertusa - Credit: Archant
The doors of the new Pickenham Hub, in North Pickenham, were formally opened to the community on Saturday (February 1), replacing the former St Andrew's CE Primary Academy which closed in December 2018.
As the school's closure became increasingly likely throughout 2018, North Pickenham Community Project Ltd sprung into action with a view to repurposing the school as a community hub.
Pickenham Hub has opened at the former St Andrews CE Primary Academy in North Pickenham. Picture: Victoria Pertusa - Credit: Archant
Its fundraising efforts had already begun back in 2013 and, over the years, £30,000 was raised as the group sought to provide a central space for villagers to socialise.
"This is a brilliant project," said Mr Freeman. "It's a great example of a community taking over an asset and turning it into a proper community hub.
From left to right: Pickenham Hub coordinator Keith Saunders, committee member Darren Bond, secretary Anne Rix and chairman of North Pickenham Community Project Ltd Matt Torode. Picture: Victoria Pertusa - Credit: Archant
"The challenge now is to make sure the project grows. This could become a model for how we do rural village renaissance."
From left to right: Chairman of the project Matt Torode, Jordan Grass and Harriet Torode at the opening of Pickenham Hub in North Pickenham. Picture: Victoria Pertusa - Credit: Archant
Pickenham Hub has opened at the former St Andrews CE Primary Academy in North Pickenham. Picture: Victoria Pertusa - Credit: Archant
