The Gardenstown Community Hub Association was formed at the end of 2017, and by March 2018, had achieved charitable status. The Association uses the former infant school (donated to the village for its benefit and now called The Hub) in High Street for a wide variety of community activities.
The Hub provides a relaxed and comfortable meeting place for people of all ages, interests and backgrounds. Central to the ethos of the Hub, it is open every Saturday so that anyone can attend and have refreshments whilst enjoying the company of others and joining in with the activities taking place.
The list of events during the first year has been diverse and well attended. There are already workshops in sewing and photography, music sessions, games nights, poetry and cultural evenings, and educational talks.
All this continues apace into 2019 due to kind donations from the public and enthusiastic local volunteers who freely give their time, energy and ideas to organizing events and fund raising.
As befits a 100 year old school building, the Hub is full of historical character: it has two large, well-lit rooms. However, the next stage is to improve the amenity of the building so that, whilst retaining its unique atmosphere and features, it serves its purpose in the 21st century with improvements to disabled facilities, installation of energy conservation central heating and sympathetic upgrading.
There is still much work to be done but if the Hub’s first year is anything to go by, it will provide a focus for the community which will be constructive and inspiring to all who get involved in its development as well as a source of pleasure to anyone who spends time there.
If you wish more information you can visit the Gardenstown Community Hub HERE
