Restored and in use once more (From Gazette Series)

Restored and in use once more

A BAND of dedicated volunteers has turned an empty Georgian house into an atmospheric centre for the arts. Kingshill House, Dursley, has become a base for a variety of creative people - from quilters to budding pop stars. Gazette feature writer Kirsty Ramsden met volunteer Bob Littleford to find out about the history of the house and how the residents of Dursley can help secure its future use.

WHEN a group of volunteers took over Kingshill House, Dursley, it was boarded up and in need of restoration - a far cry from its more impressive beginnings.

The house was built in 1705 by Thomas Purnell on the site of an Elizabethan country home.

The Elizabethan house had been owned by the King family and situated on a prominent hill, hence the name.

Volunteer Bob Littleford, who is projects director at Kingshill House, said: "We believed the house stayed in the Purnell family until 1864."

It was then put up for auction and sold to Dursley farmer and maltster Thomas Richards.

He was brother-in-law to George Lister - one of the first Listers to come to Dursley from Yorkshire.

The house remained a private home until the 1930s when it was purchased by the Lister company for the land which accompanied it.

The Lister company wanted to build houses and, having no use for Kingshill House itself, gave it to Dursley Rural District Council.

It was given with a covenant stating if the council no longer needed it, the house was to be returned for the use of the people of the district.

The rural district council used the house for offices as did Stroud District Council after local government reorganisation.

Mr Littleford explained, such was demand for space, rooms were partitioned to make two to three offices and portable buildings were put in the grounds.

Indeed about 70 people were to work in the offices.

During the late to mid 1980s Stroud District Council left Kingshill House.

"The house was boarded up, the heating left on a low light and it was empty," said Mr Littleford.

About 10 years ago Dursley Operatic and Dramatic Society began a search for premises.

Although its intention was to continue performances at Lister Hall, it needed a venue for rehearsal and to keep its equipment together.

Stroud District Council agreed to lease the house to DODS with the view of it being brought back into use.

The council, said Mr Littleford, had continued to be very supportive.

DODS took over the house in December 1995 and shortly after registered charity Kingshill House Limited was created.

Its aim was to restore the building and use it as an arts and craft centre.

"The first thing we did," said Mr Littleford, "was to remove the partitions and restore the rooms to their original size."

He added Dursley and surrounding area had lost many of its older buildings during 1960s redevelopment.

"My driving force," he said, "has been that unless this house is cared for and used it will deteriorate to such an extent that it will become at risk."

A scheme of works was created to restore the building in and out and the grounds at an initial costing of £250,000.

Two bids for lottery funding failed therefore the scheme was divided into phases.

The phases received Gloucestershire-based grant aid and a significant amount of voluntary labour.

In December 1999 MP David Drew officially opened Kingshill House at the end of the first and second phases.

The third phase, which is on-going, completes major internal refurbishment.

Phase three includes creating a lounge and bar in the ground floor of the house's Victorian extension.

The upstairs of the extension will become an arts and craft workshop.

A lift is being installed to comply with access regulations.

Mr Littleford said: "We have to meet modern regulations and still retain the character of the building."

Phase three is expected to be finished March/April 2005.

Meanwhile within the grounds, the coachhouse has been recently refurbished.

Kingshill is seeking funds to equip the coachhouse as a craft workshop to enable activities such as stained glass work, wood turning and pottery.

As 2005 is the 300th anniversary of the house, as well as marking the completion of phase three, major celebrations are expected.

Attentions will then turn to the outside of the grade two listed building.

"Our problem is this place just mops up money," explained Mr Littleford.

And, he insisted: "Unless it is used then its longer term future as a building open to the public is at risk."

"The house has to be used," he added. "To lose this house in this area would be an absolute tragedy."

Kingshill House stages courses, which depending on demand, can vary from stained glass work to pottery.

There is also a programme of major productions, which generally includes a theatrical or musical event each month.

The house is used for private hire. "It makes a delightful location for wedding receptions, birthdays, Christenings and anniversaries," said Mr Littleford.

Cam FM broadcasts from Kingshill House and the building is base for various groups including Stinchcombe Quilters, an over 50s keep fit class and a dance school.

Art classes and an art club take place at the house.

Local political groups use it as a meeting place and schools use it for art exhibitions.

Budding pop groups use the house for rehearsals - so as not to annoy their neighbours - for a nominal charge.

And, of course, Dursley Dramatic Operatic Society has its base at Kingshill House.

Open days are held at Kingshill and tours of the house are held.