Members of the Tyne Esk Local Action Group and staff team recently attended the re-opening of the newly refurbished Mayfield and Easthouses Church, for which Tyne Esk LEADER was the second largest funder.
The contribution by Tyne Esk LEADER to the 'Cornerstone' project was especially valued in generating confidence in other funders to contribute.
The £450,000 project has transformed the church into a multi-purpose community hub suitable for a wide range of activities like music productions, film screenings and exhibitions.
The church already had a community café with children’s play area and charity shop; the changes mean that the building can be used in an even more versatile way.
The refurbishment altered the layout of the space to enable people and activities to flow better. It also included the installation of new toilets, a smart heating system, modern kitchen and floor to ceiling windows which means it is flooded with natural sunlight.
Mabel Currie, Session Clerk of Newbattle Parish said: “We are absolutely delighted that work to create a modern, comfortable building in the heart of our community has now been completed.”
“It is a source of great pride and joy for the congregation which has always used the church in creative ways and the refurbishment allows us to take that to the next level.”
Tyne Esk LEADER is delighted to have been able to support community-led rural development through this project.
