Mission Statement
Nanstallon Methodist Chapel was built as a place of worship. But 133 years later our building is at risk. Using subsidiary grants and with the generous support of local individuals we will create a multi-functional venue for the local community and beyond Open to all. As a sympathetically refurbished space the dedicated community hall will operate as a centre for entertainment, learning and sharing, smaller spaces for community groups with an accessible cafe and bar. The old chapel can move into the 21st Century as a project of vision, which is inclusive, accessible and sustainable. It will play a major role in improving the well-being of the people of Nanstallon, support and encourage well-being and future prosperity of the village. The building which sits at the heart of Nanstallon will once again become its beating heart!
History & Context
Nanstallon Methodist Chapel was built in 1889 as a place of worship. However as Nanstallon has no village hall along-side its primary function the Methodist Church and school room has traditionally fulfilled this role. In the heart of the community it has been used as the held regular coffee mornings for various local groups, children’s parties, art and craft groups, gardening club, Nanstallon WI, photography group, ballet and yoga classes and the local polling station, it has also been used as an exhibition space, the village pre-school used the school room for many years before they obtained their new building in the village. The local primary school also used the chapel for their Christmas nativity.
Like many chapels it has experienced over the years a fall in its congregation and so resulted in officially being closed as a place of worship in December 2021. The asset is the to be disposed of by placement on the open market without planning permission, so a informal community group was formed in late 2021 to look at the options to save the building for the use and benefit of the local community.
There has been a huge expression of public support and interest for this idea and we are confident that it can become a viable sustainable community space. At present this group has made a formal declaration of interest to the Methodist Church and have registered Nanstallon as an ‘Asset of Community Value’. The group is now seeking to formalise its status and is now registered with the Charity Commission and will raise funds in order to purchase this asset in order to create a dedicated community space/hall constitutionally set up such that any surplus will be applied to the upkeep of the building and the community activities carried out therein.
The purchase of the Nanstallon Methodist Chapel will allow the safeguarding of an important community asset and the creation of a dedicated community space. This will benefit all the community by increased welfare, health and social cohesion outcomes. It will be open to all, but will also be an important outreach to the elderly, people with disabilities and mobility issues as well as the wider community.
Aims of the Project
As an asset of community value, we hope to enter into negotiation with the Bodmin Padstow and Wadebridge Methodist Circuit to become the preferred bidder and to outline a time frame to raise the funds necessary to purchase the freehold. If successful a modest programme of events and fundraising activities will take place in the building while a series of surveys, reports, options and plans are drawn-up for the most viable and sustainable way forward. Using public subsidy grants and the generous support of local individuals we will then implement the preferred option.
to look at siting options for new functions such as recreational facilities, performance space, refreshments, lavatories, access to comply with DDA;
to undertake consultation with nearby towns with similar projects completed or in hand;
to produce and refine a cost plan as the feasibility develops;
to establish whether asbestos containing materials exist on site;
to develop a programme for delivery of the project;
to undertake and understand risk assessment.
The Community Case for Conservation
In an attempt to gauge public need and viability a series of site visits have been made to similar halls and we viewed their accounts, we carried out public consultation via a mailshot to the 4,000 population within the parish of Lanivet postcode and held several public meetings to raise awareness of the project and discuss ideas. Site visits to similar size halls have shown that the number of people using the facilities indicates a need and a viability but the economy of such a building is very sensitive. For the building to be viable and sustainable a well-thought-out strategy needs to be put in place and as the result of extensive planning, consultation and market research. This should be part of the focus of a future feasibility study but at this preliminary stage the trust has already demonstrated huge public goodwill and support for the repair and refurbishment of the chapel as a community facility.
Funding
Nanstallon Community Trust’s purpose is to regenerate this building and to ensure it becomes a modern sustainable facility that supports community ventures. Having completed a pre-feasibility study the next stage is to undertake a full feasibility study through the commission of professional services and advice, we hope to demonstrate the Trust’s vision for a community space which is sustainable as well as viable. It is the intention to engage an architect to draw up detailed plans, a surveyor to carry out a building survey, a quantity survey and valuator and a project organiser to co-ordinate the work and liaise closely with the Trusts Committee to produce a coherent business and capital funding plan.
The timetable for grant applications will be that upon transfer of Nanstallon Methodist Chapel to the Trust we will make a grant application to Awards for All for a grant of £10,000 to improve mobility access and improve existing sanitary facilities as well as provide an accessible toilet for people with disability/mobility issues. After completing a feasibility study we will start to roll out its capital funding plans. It is too early to give specific detail, but it is the Trust’s aim to start with Crowdfunding. Whilst the Trust recognises that this will raise modest funds we believe it is important to demonstrate that not only does the community support this project but is also prepared to back it financially. Financial support from the community gives the project validity and the Trust can then go back to the various lottery funds to seek support. Funding programmes already identified include the Big Lottery’s Reaching Community Buildings Fund. The Trust envisages that lottery funding alone will not finance the repair and refurbishment of the building and that the shortfall will be made up through application to grant making trusts such as Garfield Weston Foundation, Esmee FairBairn Foundation and the Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation.
Budget
At this stage we are unable to give a declared outline of income and expenditure. However on the assumption that we are able to purchase the building and based on figures provided by the existing owners, the running costs for utilities, insurance etc. are £2,000 per annum and have been met by the recent usage of the building.
Final Comments by Nanstallon Community Trust
The trust has spent considerable time and effort to produce a large body of information and reports. Professional services will further identify the need for a more detailed survey of the building. In general the need to save the building has been established and at this stage it would appear to be viable. The building contains the only space in Nanstallon and the surrounding area to put on community events. To conclude it is thought that the need and viability of the building has been outlined and justifies carrying out a full feasibility study to demonstrate this beyond doubt and put together a robust and sustainable plan for the future of the building.
