Community Launches Urgent Campaign to Save Stanhope’s Beloved Church Hall
WEARDALE Together Community Interest Company, working alongside a group of local residents, has launched a campaign to save St. Thomas’ Church Hall in Stanhope, which is at risk of being lost after the St. Thomas’ Parochial Church Council (PCC) announced plans to sell the building.
Due to rising costs, urgent repairs, and lack of capacity to manage the building, the PCC has confirmed its intention to sell. In response, the community has come together with one goal: to bring the much-loved hall into community ownership and secure its future.
“St. Thomas’ Church Hall is widely seen as the beating heart of Stanhope — a place where generations have come together to socialise, celebrate, learn, and support one another,” said Cath Robson, co-founder of Weardale Together CIC.
“It’s hosted everything from Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, toddler groups, youth groups and choirs, to yoga, music and theatre, craft and farmers’ markets, and Root & Branch Community Café. As the only large and accessible venue in Stanhope, it plays a vital role in events like the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme and big community gatherings like the annual Weardale Wassail. Weardale has lost so much already — we cannot afford to lose this space too.”
The campaign has already achieved an important milestone: the hall is now registered as an Asset of Community Value, which temporarily halts any sale and gives the community a six-month window to raise the funds needed to buy and restore it.
The building is in urgent need of repair, with costs estimated at around £330,000. The group is now developing a full strategy for community ownership, applying for funding, and building public support to achieve their goal.
“We have a mountain to climb in a short time, but the support we’re seeing from the community is incredible.” said Graeme Rendall, member of the project group. “This hall matters to people and they want to protect; it not just for today, but for generations to come. We believe it has a bright, exciting future in the hands of the community.”
Get Involved
The campaign team is calling on supporters across Weardale and beyond to get involved, volunteer, and help spread the word. They want to collect people’s memories of the hall, and gather ideas to help secure its future.
Every voice, skill, and contribution will make a difference.
Find out more and support the campaign at:
🌐 https://stanhopechurchhall.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/groups/savestthomaschurchhall📧 Email:
