A major grant has enabled Wirksworth Parochial Council to completely upgrade the toilet facilities at the multi-purpose Maltings Community Venue, the largest community space in the town.
The grant of £50,000 from Tarmac’s Landfill Communities Fund* has enabled the Council to build a new toilet block to eco standards and with disabled access.
The Maltings Community Venue began as a site where malt was produced from barley in the early 1800s. At the end of the 19th Century the church community raised money to buy the building and volunteers renovated it for community use. It is now managed by the Wirksworth St Marys Church Parochial Council and is used by a variety of community groups including the brass band, orchestra, choir, Festival, gigs and dance.
David Brown has been a key member of the project team on the Parochial Council of which he has been a member for 20 years. He said: “We have gradually found ways to upgrade the Maltings Community Venue so it can continue to serve our community’s needs as a versatile, fit-for-purpose space. Two years ago, we won a National Lottery grant which enabled us to install a new kitchen. This grant from Tarmac has been the icing on the cake, helping us replace the old unpleasant toilet block with a new area including an extra window, a light ‘lantern’, and disabled access.”
Darren Middleton, Tarmac’s Powders Business Manager based at nearby Ballidon Quarry, went along to see the finished project. He added: “We are delighted that the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund grant has helped bring this important historical community venue into the 21st Century. We look forward to hearing how the upgraded facilities help make it an even busier valuable social hub for the town.”
Picture caption: Darren Middleton (centre) from Tarmac’s Ballidon Quarry went along to see the finished project at the Maltings Community Venue, with Canon David Truby (left) and David Brown of the project team (right)
*The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund (or Landfill Tax Credit Scheme as it was formerly known) enables landfill operators like Tarmac, to donate part of their annual tax liability to enrolled Environmental Bodies for a variety of approved community and environmental projects. Landfill operators can reclaim 90% of their contribution as a tax credit which means the remaining 10% must be provided either by them or an independent third party. Through the fund Tarmac donates around £1 million each year to community projects throughout the UK. The fund is open to applicants who meet the strict criteria for projects delivering community benefit. For more information, please go to www.entrust.org.uk