The fundraising campaign for a new youth and arts centre for Crowborough has been given a kickstart by the town council.
Members of the council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee unanimously agreed to pledge £40,000 to the ambitious project for the Jarvis Brook Recreation Ground.
The project, which has planning permission, is set to cost more than £340,000 but the council’s support, which would be returned if the project does not succeed, is hugely significant because it potentially unlocks other funding streams.
Bev Pashley, who is behind the scheme, said an application to Wealden District Council’s Community Led Infrastructure Fund (CLIF) could be as much as £200,000 but could not be submitted without the £40,000 match funding. The town council’s decision means that application can now proceed.
It is also good news for the application for funding from the National Lottery, which is already under consideration, as it signals local support for the project.
The ambitious project would see the transformation of the existing small community Scrapstore building in the Jarvis Brook Recreation Ground into a vibrant community venue where people can meet new friends, learn new skills, and take part in activities.
The building would treble the size of the existing scrapstore, where Artytime, run by Bev, keeps all the art and craft materials for people to use. It would add facilities and rooms for the youth club, workshops, meetings, and community activities for members of the community and local artists.
When she launched the campaign, Bev told us: “My vision is to run all sorts of creative sessions and groups that get people involved, not just with art, but learning all sorts of new skills. For example we know from talking to young people that many of them want to learn how to cook.”
Bev has planning permission for the extension of the scrapstore, which is only 12 square metres, into a proper community venue which will be 47 square metres. She’s now trying to raise the money to get the project off the ground.
“We’ve spoken to the National Lottery who have been here to visit, and we’re in close contact with the town council, the district council and the county council. This is a lot of money to raise and we really need some proper backers – as well as community support.”
After the committee’s decision, Bev was obviously delighted. She said: “Now on to the next step. Fingers crossed our application to Wealden CLIF is successful. Fingers crossed and let’s keep going.”
Artytime is part of Green Transition Crowborough, a community organisation that promotes local action to address climate change and encourage sustainability. It’s a group of eco-enthusiasts with a passion for Crowborough who believe taking small actions will cumulatively make a real difference. It also includes other groups like the Crowborough Pantry and the Crowborough Repair Café, as well as others.
Bev is also behind the separate plan to double the size of the existing skatepark beside the Artytime Scrapstore which is in need of upgrading. The plans, agreed by Wealden District Council, show the extension would vastly improve the facility with new ramps and obstacles. The design is contemporary and has been designed by professional skatepark designers. It will be built by trained professional skatepark builders. Again, the project is dependent on funding.