Exciting developments are underway in Spaldwick as the vision for a vibrant new community space—Spaldwick Common Ground—moves closer to becoming a reality. This project aims to transform a section of our beloved Church of St James into an inclusive hub designed for everyone in the village.
The Spaldwick Common Ground concept was born out of conversations with the residents of Spaldwick which supported the need for a versatile facility that could host everything from social gatherings and recreational activities to educational workshops and community group meetings. Working in partnership with the Parochial Church Council (PCC), detailed plans have been developed for new community facilities (including accessible toilets and a servery) that will be established in the church building. A dedicated area will remain for worship and religious ceremonies alongside a thoughtfully designed inclusive space, welcoming all members of our community (and beyond!), regardless of beliefs, backgrounds, or interests.
Plans include installing high-speed internet and coffee machines to create an attractive hot-desking area for remote working, studying, or casual meet-ups. Additionally, the facility will be ideal for hosting local events such as pizza nights, film evenings, craft workshops, fitness classes, and more. It will also serve as a cost-effective, bookable space for personal celebrations like birthday parties, anniversaries, and family gatherings.
We are incredibly grateful for the strong support our initiative has already received. Formal endorsements from both Spaldwick Parish Council and the Church of England have underscored the project's importance and viability. Additionally, we recently had the honour of hosting our local Member of Parliament, Ben Obese-Jecty, who visited the church for an engaging and productive meeting with representatives from the PCC and the Common Ground committee. During his visit, Ben expressed his support, highlighting that "this looks to be a fantastic initiative that will not only see greater usage of the church building, but as the first of this type of lease from the church, could potentially serve as a blueprint for many other churches".
Our dedicated volunteers are currently hard at work fundraising, aiming to reach our ambitious goal of £250,000 needed to bring this vision to life. Fundraising events and initiatives are planned throughout the year, and there are plenty of ways for everyone to get involved. Whether it’s through participating in events, volunteering time and skills, or providing financial support or sponsorship, every contribution moves us closer to opening the doors of Spaldwick Common Ground.
For more information, details on upcoming fundraising events, to volunteer, or sponsor, please visit our dedicated website: www.spaldwickcommonground.org.
