A question mark hangs over the future of a north Lakes village hall following a number of key committee members giving notice of their intention to resign.
The booking secretary and the individual who looks after the maintenance at Thirlmere Recreation Hall are resigning and other members of the committee are looking to resign in the near future, a meeting of St John’s Castlerigg and Wythburn Parish Council was told.
Advertisement of the issue has not brought forward any new volunteers to take on roles within the committee.
Councillors were told that it is probable that at the meeting in September the committee will fold and the hall will have to be closed as only two members would remain.
According to the deeds, the hall and grounds were leased by North West Water, United Utilities’ predecessor, in 1982 on a 999-year lease, and as part of this the parish council is responsible for the hall if the committee ceases to operate.
Clerk Becx Carter confirmed that she had received a copy of some documents from the Recreation Hall Committee and reported that the parish council would be ultimately responsible for the hall if the committee failed.
The meeting was told that the accounts of the Thirlmere Recreation Hall are in a healthy state, but this will only remain as long as the site is managed, cared for and bookings taken.
The committee is willing to employ someone to do the bookings, but they need more committee members. Adverts have been put in the newsletter and will be advertised at the upcoming Thirlmere flower fair.
It was noted that the car parking could be commercialised, and the income could be increased from this.
Posters are going to be put up advertising the need for new trustees and an appeal will be made at the flower show in a bid to try and encourage volunteers.
The issue will also be placed on the September agenda of the parish council.
Lake District infinity pool’s social media stardom causes chaos in village
Lake District communities pay the price when ‘hidden gems’ go viral
