Community Project Captures The Imagination

Children at a local primary school are keeping a close eye on a redevelopment project currently underway in the picturesque village of Dunsop Bridge on the Duchy’s Whitewell Estate in Lancashire.

After two years’ close consultation with the local community, the disused petrol station on the main route through the village is about to be carefully demolished and the ground decontaminated to pave the way for a new Community Hub building. The new facility will provide a central resource for residents and visitors alike, including a space for visitor information on the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a small ‘general store’ type shop and community post office, library space and therapy or treatment rooms for use by visiting hairdressers, physiotherapists, osteopaths and similar. It will also open up additional sheltered space overlooking the playing fields to the rear of the building and provide for additional car-parking spaces and secure bike racks, both of which will include electric charging points.

Head of Rural Restoration Lara Thompson has been keen to involve the children in the project from the beginning, explaining the proposals to the youngsters and bringing contractors into school to give safety talks as well as encouraging teaching staff to view progress on site and incorporate the project as part of their lesson plans. As a consequence, the schoolchildren are highly enthused and engaged in monitoring the progress of the construction project, which has been created as a focal point for key services which will enhance village life and ensure the long-term sustainability of this small rural community. 

Experienced former teacher and local resident Mrs Janet Wells volunteered to return to school to work with the pupils to create some artwork to brighten up the hoarding around the site while it is under construction. Janet said: “The children focused on illustrating the local environment and wildlife which complemented the setting beautifully. It has been a pleasure working on this lovely banner project with the children, who were keen to spend time on it before and after school and their enthusiasm and skills are to be commended. They were very proud to see their hard work on the finished banner for all to see and enjoy, while this exciting construction project is under way.”

“I would like to thank all of the children for their enthusiastic support for the project”, added Lara. “This is a community development, shaped by those who live and work in the village as well as those who visit. We want to create something special here that will, enrich the life of the village and support the local economy for generations to come.”