THOUSANDS of pounds are needed for a community centre in Thornbury to be “fit for purpose”, organisers have said.

The Chantry, which was founded by monks in the 15th century before becoming a private residence, came into public ownership in 1966, after every family in the town contributed a pound to a fund, along with a series of grants.

Since then, it has been run by the Thornbury and District Community Association and currently hosts almost 50 community groups ranging from radio and model railway clubs to ballet classes, yoga and meditation, as well as for family celebrations, parties, weddings and wakes.

But with parts of the building, some of which dates back to Tudor times, in need of substantial refurbishment, including new toilet facilities estimated to cost around £2,500, money needs to come in from elsewhere.

“We need to preserve this beautiful building for future generations,” said Christine Carter, the association’s chairman. “We can’t let it just go. It needs an awful lot of works doing to it.

“We have to improve what we offer, but we need the money in order to be able to do that.

“At the moment we are sustained by the money we bring in but we don’t make any extra to do all the maintenance needed to make improvements.”

Having taken over as chairman of the organisation in May, Mrs Carter said that a lot has been done by volunteers and the public to improve the centre, with more decorative plants, plans to open a history room and saving money by only opening the bar for events.

She said that organisers are reaching out to as many sources as possible for additional funding but appealed we can to get extra money in and would encourage residents to become members of the Chantry, which only costs £4 a year, or £8 for a family.

She said: “With all the problems that the Armstrong Hall and Turnberrie’s faces, we want people to know our facilities are working as sometimes people don’t realise they are here.

“We are changing, the whole feel of the centre is different and we aren’t finished yet. We have a lot left to do but we have to move with the times and have to get everything up to date – fit for purpose.

“We wouldn’t like to contemplate what would happen if we were unable to fund it and it fell into disrepair, because that is not what will happen.”