All Welcome As Todmorden Town Deal Celebrates FIRST Project Completion & Re-Opening Of Historic Fielden Hall Following £400,000 Energy Efficiency Works
Todmorden Town Deal Board is delighted to announce the completion of energy efficiency works by Calder Valley Community Land Trust (CVCLT) to improve the environmental and financial sustainability of Todmorden’s much loved Grade II Listed Fielden Hall, an exciting milestone in the delivery of Todmorden Town Deal’s £17.5M programme of investment.
All are welcome to take a peek at the newly retrofitted building at a special Open Day and celebration on Sunday 27th April, 2.00pm – 6.00pm, organised by Fielden Centre Association, who run and manage Fielden Hall.
There will be a chance to see how the works have been undertaken to retrofit this historic building, view the premiere of a new film produced to capture the community spirit inspired by the Hall, enjoy a hog roast, history display, and to find out more about the activities, events and opportunities available to the people of the upper Calder Valley, in this beautiful, unique venue.
As part of their fundraising, Fielden Centre Association will also be holding a raffle with some amazing prizes, including a first prize of a hot air balloon ride for two!
The retrofitting project at Fielden Hall is a key element of realising the Town Deal Board and CVCLT’s vision to improve opportunities for Todmorden residents by investing in well-used community-owned and run buildings in the town to ensure they are suitable for future use and generations to come.
Now that sustainability works have been completed at Fielden Hall, the impact is highly impressive, with current and future users benefitting from a forecast 54% cut in energy bills and a reduction in CO2 emissions by an incredible 79%.
The project has been envisioned, led and managed by Town Deal Project Partner, local community organisation, Calder Valley Community Land Trust (CVCLT). CVCLT is a member-led community benefit society that aims to support stronger communities by working in partnership to develop more sustainable, affordable homes and community buildings, enabling people to put down roots and feel more confident and secure to take part in community and civic life.
The completed works comprise an extensive programme of energy efficient measures including the introduction of solar energy and air-sourced heat pump heating, secondary glazing and insulation and Mechanical Ventilation & Heat Recovery.
Fielden Hall has a rich history in the town for residents and communities, enjoying a wonderful natural green setting within Centre Vale Park and having once housed the extraordinary Fielden School of Art.
Currently, the fully accessible building is home to a wide range of community activities spanning arts, health and wellbeing, clubs and societies, as well as hosting events including weddings, performances and exhibitions.
Pam Warhurst, Chair, Todmorden Town Deal Board said:
“It’s truly wonderful to reach the finish line in securing the future of the historic Fielden Hall for Todmorden communities. Supporting our very special heritage and community-led buildings to be resilient in the face of climate change and rising energy costs, is a core priority running through our investment programme.
“What makes Todmorden’s approach especially unique and inspiring is the skill, expertise and calibre of community leadership demonstrated by community partners, like CVCLT, in realising our shared vision with commitment and passion. CVCLT is exemplary in the meticulous, skilled and ambitious way they have taken this project forward to completion.”
Simon Brearley, Chair, Calder Valley Community Land Trust, said:
“The Land Trust holds land and buildings on behalf of our community.
“As the custodian of Fielden Hall & houses, we have, through this project, ensured Fielden Hall will be available for another generation of people in the valley.
“The health and happiness benefits realised through the activities & events at the Hall have been secured.”
Jenny Coleman, Chair, Fielden Centre Association, said:
“We are very excited to be welcoming people back to Fielden Hall to see, hear and experience for themselves the impact of the sustainable measures now in place.
“The fact that the building will be more comfortable and practical for the many local groups that use the Hall and for those who wish to hire this beautiful space for a special event is wonderful, so we warmly invite people to come and see what is on offer.
“Most importantly, the building will now be more affordable in terms of our annual energy bills and fit for the future for years to come.”
The retrofitting of Fielden Hall is just one of several features in Centre Vale Park benefiting from Town Deal investment.
Improving facilities and opportunities for leisure, sport, recreation and fun in the much loved park is a major ambition of the Programme, with project partner, Todmorden Town Council, leading on improvements including refurbishment of the tennis courts, the development of a purpose-built Bowling Pavilion facility accommodating various community groups who operate in the park, and the refurbishment of the unique Grade I Bandstand for local music and performance.
Cllr Denis Skelton, Todmorden Town Council and Todmorden Town Deal Board, said:
“Todmorden Town Council is delighted that the works on Fielden Hall have now been completed, as just one element of the improvement projects and investment in Centre Vale Park.
“It is a priority for the Council that community groups are supported to make use of and run the many assets that the park has to offer, including the Bowling Pavilion and Bandstand projects, so we are pleased that Fielden Centre Association will now be opening the doors again, and continuing to take this fine heritage building into a secure and confident future.”
CVCLT is also leading on the development of the new Enterprise Centre at Ferney Lee, with construction now underway, including the addition of affordable housing alongside, as part of the Todmorden Town Deal programme.
Paul Brannigan, Executive Manager, Calder Valley Community Land Trust, said:
“We are proud to have completed the works at Fielden Hall on time and on budget.
“Other than my post, all our work is delivered by volunteers and local people & organisations who have invested in community shares to fund our work.
“Be part of our success by volunteering, investing or becoming a member.”
To find out more about Calder Valley Community Land Trust visit: www.caldervalleyclt.org.uk
To find out more about Fielden Centre Association: https://fieldenhall.com/about-us/
