A HISTORIC community centre at the 'heart' of the community is looking forward to the beginning of a new era following six weeks of refurbishment.

Whalley Old Grammar School, Station Road, Whalley, Clitheroe, which was first built in 1560, has been committed to enhancing education in the community for decades.

The former education establishment's hall was closed throughout July and August as part of a £55,000 plus refurbishment project following grants from The Big Lottery Fund, Lancashire County Council, Whalley Lions and Ribble Valley Council.

The scheme has involved the removal of an old stage, conversion of a former store room into toilets, the laying of a new oak floor, provision of dedicated storage, insulation of the loft area, new electric blinds to all windows in order to save energy and full decoration.

The renovation has been celebrated by trustees from the Whalley Educational Fund, a registered charity who helped fund the project, as well as residents and local councillors.

Martin Fewster, who is secretary of the Whalley Educational Foundation, said: "We are grateful to the trustees of Whalley Educational Foundation for all their hard work, to all the funders of the whole project including Whalley Lions and Whalley Village Hall whose generosity has enabled the creation of new toilet facilities for the children.

"The Community Centre has over 90 user groups and this new facility will only add to its attractiveness to the local community.

"Whalley Pre-School is a registered charity and community Pre-School and the improvements will greatly enhance our environment and will be enjoyed by all our children for many years to come."

Kerry Dewhurst, Whalley Pre School leader, said: "For some years the wooden parquet floor in the main hall has required running repairs and last year we decided it was time to replace it.

"The Foundation considered what other improvements we could make to the room and building for the benefit of the community.

"We are delighted that we were not only able to resurface the floor, but also add cloakrooms suitable for children, energy saving boiler, radiators and blinds, storage areas and to redecorate the whole Hall.

"It is due to the generosity of our funders, that we are able to share this fabulous space with the people of Whalley and the local area.

"We are very grateful to our funders and particularly delighted that most of the money came from local charities and groups; a real community effort."

Cllr Ged Mirfin said: "It looks like a new building inside.

"I'm absolutely delighted at the high standard of the work that has finished and I'm confident that the community will derive maximum value and use it much more frequently because it looks so much improved."

Cllr Terry Hill, who has been a trustee for a number of years, said: "“It is amazing what the community does. I'm glad that through this refurbishment we have managed to keep it going.”