The Done Room Renovation project was launched last autumn with the aim of finding almost £180,000 for a new roof, kitchen and other necessary work to enable the building, which opened in 1636, to continue to be at the heartbeat of education for youngsters of all ages in the area.

Generations of children through the ages have benefitted from the various activities staged in the building next to St. Helen’s Church but without essential repairs almost 400 years of history would be under threat.

The Done Room is currently used every weekday by the very popular Tarporley Pre-School, as well as uniformed groups (Rainbows, Brownies and Guides) while it’s also a venue used for church meetings, Messy Church and a variety of social events.

Thanks to the sterling work of Stephen Wright important grants have just been secured which means a starting date for work on the project can be pencilled in.

FCC Communities Foundation have committed £94,728 to the cause, the Ursula Keyes Trust have donated £23,000 while the National Lottery have weighed in with £18,960. There have also been contributions from local benefactors including a generous £5,000 grant from the Holroyd Foundation.

The evidence of the relentless drive to make sure the Done Room remains an integral part of the local community can be witnessed at first hand by taking a look at the fund raising countdown board which stands at the entrance to the grounds of St.Helen’s Churchyard.

It will display that more than half of the necessary funds have been secured – but there is still plenty of work to be done to reach the ultimate target.

If you have benefited from the work of the Done Room, or just want to support a vital community space and can donate towards the project, every little will help to safeguard this building for new generations!