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Strutts centre is run by the people for the people
WHEN the bell went on the last day at the former Herbert Strutt School it signalled the end of an era for Belper and thousands of its residents. But now, two years on, more people than ever are using the building. Reporter Laura Hammond finds out how it is going.
It seems sheer luck allowed the former Strutt School to fall into the safe hands of the Belper Strutts Society.
The group had been fighting for years for permission to transform the historic building into a community centre, but Amber Valley Borough Council was keen for it to be converted into apartments.
Then came the recession and the downturn in the housing market, and the
council's proposals were no longer viable.
Strutts volunteer Janet Honey said: "We were very lucky. If it hadn't been for the downturn I don't think we would have got it.
"It just couldn't have been made into flats, it wouldn't be in the public ownership, which it should be.
"A lot of people have asked why we're bothering with the old building when the roof leaks and there's so much work to be done, but we couldn't let it go. It's such a beautiful building, and it is very important to people."
The community centre opened to the public last September after volunteers had been painting, hammering, and tidying for almost a year to bring the building up to scratch.
Dozens of groups, including the Belper Art Group, the Derwent Brass Band, and the Model Railway Group, now use the centre on a regular basis.
A lot of work is still needed on the grade II-listed building, but the society, which runs the centre day to day, is positive about the future of the centre.
Janet, who helps man the reception, said: "We're very optimistic about how it's going to go.
"We've had such a good response from community groups. They are so pleased that there is somewhere they can go in Belper.
"I think it gives a lot of the groups a chance to meet in Belper when they couldn't beforehand. It widens the chances of keeping a good community in Belper.
"We know it's a bit tatty, and there is a lot of work to do, and it's a struggle, but I think we will get there."
Plans are in place to set up a kitchen at the centre to cook meals, and the rooms are in the process of being refurbished.
One room is being painted and brought up to scratch for free by students at Derby College as part of a course.
Furniture and kitchen equipment has been donated by various organisations including Belper's industrial giant Deb, which gave the centre fridges and a server when it closed its Belper factory. Other items have also come from companies around the county.
The Strutts Centre is a true community project. It has been referred to as "by the people, for the people", as hundreds of volunteers have got involved to make it work.
Apart from the amount of space it provides for community groups, the centre gives people the chance to enjoy the old building, which has seen thousands of Belper residents pass through its doors since they opened in 1909.
The school was built by philanthropist George Herbert Strutt for the children in the town.
He handed it over to the town with the condition that if it ever ceased to be a school it should be used for the good of the community.
The society used that condition in fighting for the centre.
Janet said: "The school needs to stay as an asset for Belper. That's the whole reason we are doing this, to keep it for the people of Belper."
The project has had a massive response from supporters and former students.
James Devenport, who was both a student and a teacher at the prestigious school, said: "It's difficult to put your finger on why the town has taken the school to its heart so much.
"I think the whole structure has a feeling of permanence and security. People connect with that."
Famous former students include Blue Peter presented Simon Groom, and James Bond actor Timothy Dalton.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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