When the local community signed an agreement with the Trustees to take the property of the Dunholme Old School over as
a community Centre there were many problems to overcome. The first was that the main building was built in 1864 to the standards
of the time which did not neccesarily meet modern day standards.
Although it was substantially built there was no damp proof course in the walls and the walls have no cavity but was
built by a double brick of alternate headers and stretchers. The bricks were of two types believed to have been manufactured
in Dunholme itself. The corners are of red brick will the rest is of yellow. It is assumed thet the red bricks were used as
a strengthening framework. It dosen't seem to follow as the red brick seem to be eroding quiker than that of the yellow.
Knowing that a new school was being built the Lincolnshire education Authority obviously did not wish to spent a lot
of money on any expensive repair or renovation, consequently when it was taken over as a community centre a lot of remedial
work was required. The floor in the main hall needed replacing, which was done using chip-board, on hidesight not a
good idea but it was cheap and additional heaters were installed. Carpets were laid and the old clockroom was turned
into a kitchen with a commercial grade gas cooker and kitchen units fitted. Chairs, tables and curtains were also purchased. It
was also decorated throughout. The cost was from public donations and a loan from the Dunholme Parish Council.
A use had to be made of the large hut which was built as additional classrooms. It was finally resolve by Dick Gothorpes
turning it into a snooker club at his own expense. An agreement was signed to give him exclusive use of the building.
A luncheon Club was started and Whist and Bingo was held on alternate weeks. Other organisations followed but most
were already using the existing village hall which made it difficult to attract users. Although the rent was only £1
a year the maintenance and upkeep was the resposibility of the management committee. It was soon noted that the amout of work
required was quite enormouse. The building suffered from internal damp, rain came through the displaced slate tiled roof,
the wooded window froms were rotten and the plaster was peeling from the walls.
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The state of the guttering and brickwork on one of the outside walls |
The wooden window frames may not have been the original from 1864 but they were certainly old and completely rotten. |
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The original plaster not surviving another 140 years |
Damp comming through the wall due to there being no damp-proof course or a cavity in the walls. |
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The rear of the Old School Hall showing the wooden hut that was being used as a snooker clib up to 1994. The land
at the back was the schools' playing field but now belongs to a neighbour.
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The same wooden hut looking back to the rear of the old school. This hut was assembled by the Lincolnshire
County Council in 1959 for a price of £89. However today it has outlived it's life. Most of the floorboards and side panels
are rotten and the roof leaks. The window frames are about to fall out and some glass is cracked. However it is
reasonable comfortable inside.
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The rear of the hut showing the state of the external wooden walls and the deteriorating window frames |
The hut now renovated to become the Area Community Education and Training centre. This is one of the lecture
rooms
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Lecture room No 1 is used for teaching a variety of subject which have included languages, arts, history,
sailing and navigation as well as business and employment skills. It is currenlt being used for Keep fit classes and used
by the St Chad's Church for their meetings and Bible Study groups. It is also used as a workshop for the manufature of exercise-wear
clothing
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This is the computer room. There are twelve computers and, although relatively dated still run un
Windows ME with Microsoft Office and Serif Draw plus, Page Plus and Photoplus. The all have individual printers and flatbed
scanners and networked to broadband internet.
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