Learning centres
Maryport Community, Arts & Learning Centre
In January 2007, building
contractors started work on a major project to refurbish
and re-open the Maryport Educational Settlement, which has
stood empty and unused since 2002.
At the end of 2006, ownership of the building was transferred from
the Society of Friends to the Board of the Maryport Educational
Settlement, a new group of trustees made up of local people. The
Board has formed a partnership with Cumbria County Council’s Adult
Education Service, with the aim of bringing the building back to
life as a learning and arts centre 
for Maryport and the surrounding areas. As part of the
partnership, the Adult Education Service has secured £780,000 of
funding to invest in the building, from the Learning and Skills
Council, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Northwest
Regional Development Agency. The development has also been
supported by the Arts Development team at Allerdale Borough
Council.
The aim of the refurbishment is to modernise the building, bringing
it up to current health and safety and access standards, while
retaining its historic character as a Grade II listed building in a
prominent position in the town overlooking the harbour. The
building, due to be completed in September 2007, will be
a fully modernised Community, Arts & Learning Centre. In the
main building there will be office space, an IT
room and two large areas downstairs available for use, as
well as the large grounds at the back of the building. The derelict
building in front of the Settlement will become an arts annexe,
fully equipped for ceramics and other creative activities, and
housing an artist's studio. The Settlement will host a programme of
commissioned community arts activities, artist residencies
and a range of other community & learning projects.
Staff from the Adult Education Service’s Skills for Life and Family
Learning teams will be based at the Settlement. As well as housing
activities & events organised by trustees and the Adult
Education Service, the 
Settlement will also be available for hire by other
organisations.
Jane Donaldson, one of the
trustees of the Board, said: “A refurbished and rejuvenated
Community, Arts & Learning centre will be a big plus for
Maryport and its surrounding area. It will help in the regeneration
of the town, by restoring a building in such a visible location. It
will open up new learning opportunities to residents, and bring new
arts and creative experiences to the town. As a resource for the
whole community, we would be really interested in talking
to individuals and groups who would like to use the building
when it reopens at the end of this year”.
For further information on
the Settlement contact:
For the
Trustees:
Jane Donaldson on 07742 655676
For the Adult Education Service: Charles Searle on
07966 641309
The photographs on the right hand side are by Roger Lee, and show
the Settlement before work commenced in January 2007, and during
the renovation.