A grant from Tarmac’s Landfill Communities Fund has enabled Wirksworth Parochial Council in Derbyshire to upgrade the facilities at the multi-purpose Maltings community venue, the largest community space in the town.
The grant of £50,000 has enabled the council to completely renovate the facilities including installing disabled access.
The Maltings began as a wine-bottling factory in the early 1800s. At the end of the 19th Century the church community raised money to buy the building and volunteers renovated it for community use. It is now managed by the Wirksworth St Marys Church Parochial Council and is used by a variety of community groups including the brass band, choir, tea dance and children’s dance organisers.
Picture caption: Darren Middleton (centre) from Tarmac’s Ballidon Quarry went along to see the finished project at the Maltings Community Venue, with Canon David Truby (left) and David Brown of the project team (right)
David Brown, from the Parochial Council, said: “We have gradually found ways to upgrade the Maltings community venue so it can continue to serve our community’s needs as a versatile, fit-for-purpose space. The grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund has meant we could replace the old toilet facilities including installing an extra window, a light ‘lantern’, and disabled access.”
Darren Middleton, Tarmac’s powders business manager based at nearby Ballidon quarry, went along to see the finished project. He added: “We are delighted that the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund grant has helped bring this important historical community venue into the 21st Century. We look forward to hearing how the upgraded facilities help make it an even more valuable social hub for the town.”
