Robert Windle’s Foundation has owned and run the Old Grammar School since the 1590’s. Our aims are to support education and to preserve our wonderful Grade 2* listed building.
Ongoing projects
So far, this year (since April) we have raised over £3000.00 through sales and events. Of this £1200 has been given out as grants and the rest on upgrading the kitchen. Many thanks to all who have donated and helped us raise this amazing amount.
We are continuing to refurbish the building and bring the facilities up to modern standards. The current project is to completely refurbish the kitchen. The work is slowly coming on, please see photos below of the work so far. We have had a new hardwood door and window installed which, as the building is listed had to be made as a traditional hardwood, this cost over £2200. We have had plumbing and wiring work completed and new floor, unfortunately during the work if was found that extra work had to be carried out in the roof space. The walls, door and window have been painted. Thanks to Chris and Jeb Whitfield (plumbing and joinery work), Jimmy from Malcolm Baines electrical work, Martin Snell painting and Inspired Floorings for the new floor. Thanks guys for all your hard work, we now have a lovely clean bright room. We were kindly donated money by one of our lovely supporters Jennifer Beckwith, to buy a second hand commercial sink, so we can now at least wash up ! We just need now to raise funds to get the units to finish off the job.
As with all listed buildings it is always very expensive to have alteration work done and the work carried out so far has blown the budget. Now, the push is on to raise more monies to complete the job. We still need to re fit the cooker and dishwasher and purchase new work counters.
We estimate we will need in the region of £2,000 - £2,500 to complete. With this in mind we have reluctantly decided to put the giving of grants on hold and to concentrate our efforts to get the kitchen finished. We hope that you will all understand this and continue to give us your support. Hopefully we will have raised the money by the New Year, then we can restart grant giving.
Mrs. Bead (Beader extraordinaire) and Danielle Kay (herbalist) are continuing to rent workshop space in the upstairs floor. Please contact them for more information.
New events
We are continuing to hold coffee mornings on the last Tuesday in the month where you can have a friendly chat, meet new people, browse our shop of Vintage bargains and craft items, support us and eat cake – what more could you want!!
On the 7th December we will hold another open day /sale day with a Christmas theme; we will have games, crafts, vintage bargains, tombola, raffle, lucky dip, quiz, homemade cakes, and refreshments.
We hold a craft group on Fridays 1 – 3pm, where you can learn a new craft or practise an old one or just enjoy a natter and make new friends.
In the New Year we hope to be able to start two new groups.
A “Men in Sheds” group. This would offer men a chance to meet up, make new friends and do any form of craft work/hobby or whatever the group would like to do. If this is something you or someone who you know would like to join please get in touch
.
A Book Club in the New Year again if this is of interest to you please get in touch.
Other News
We have been lucky again and have won a grant from the Co-op. We get 1% of all sales of own brand and other goods sold in Barnoldswick and Earby Co-ops. So if you have a members card please select our name for your 1% or if you don’t have a card please click here to apply. Plus you get 5% back from your purchases for you to spend in the store. We intend putting the grant money towards widening the gate, resurfacing the car park and generally tidying up the outside.
We were also chosen to receive a Commendation Award at the Mayor of Pendle’s recent awards evening, this was for our charity work giving out grants to local groups and schools and for “Going the extra mile”
We have many volunteers and a big thankyou to them all, for their help with the garden, events and fundraising. We are always interested in new people joining us, in whatever way you feel that you can help to raise funds and look after our beautiful grade 2* listed Tudor building. Or, even consider joining us as a trustee. We could not do our work without you all.
Don’t forget we are always happy to receive your no longer required household items to resell, and of course please keep an eye on the “stock” you may be able to pick up a bargain via our facebook fundraising group
If you have any queries, suggestions or would like to help please do get in touch, via our website contact page, email us or call in at The Old Grammar School on a Friday afternoon 1 – 3 to speak to a trustee.
See photos below of the work carried out on the kitchen so far...!!
The sink we bought with money donated by Jennifer Beckwith.
