After a 1.3 million refurbishment, the Fairford Community Centre goes from strength to strength. The former Fairford Free School, a Grade II listed building dating back to 1738, was repurchased in 2002 jointly by Fairford Town Council and the Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church.
Thanks to major grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Gloucestershire Rural Renaissance, and donations from local people, the building has been improved, extended and made fully disabled-accessible.
An amazing transformation has taken place, resulting in a building which, in addition to rooms available for local activities and services, hosts the following offices:
- Fairford town council office
- Parish office and church meeting room
- Community Centre office
- Dedicated Youth area
- Heritage room and an archive room housing the Fairford archive, managed by Fairford History Society.
Fairford's fully modernised 21st Century Community Centre, situated next door to the Grade I listed St Mary's Church with its world famous stained glass windows, really lends itself to functions such as wedding receptions, christening parties and wakes, but is also suitable for conferences, small groups, activities, meetings and more.
The old school playground has been up-dated and has become an elegant alfresco entertainment area accessed by a glazed corridor, which links the old building with the new. Please feel free to come along to look around the centre and see for yourself the superb building and facilities on offer.
If you would like to know more about the history of the community centre then please contact the Fairford History Society via www.fairfordhistory.org.uk or email enquiry@fairfordhistory.org.uk