A GROUP of volunteers had a productive day helping to turn a derelict chapel into a children’s art centre in Winterbourne after parents were awarded £3,000 towards the project.

A group of parents were awarded the money by South Gloucestershire Council in March to go towards a feasibility survey for the renovation of the old and derelict Ebenezer Chapel in Winterbourne into a children’s activity and arts based activity centre for the local community.

A group of volunteers came together on Saturday, May 23 to start clearing the building.

Resident Mandy Nicholls, who had the idea to renovate the chapel into the centre, said: “We had around 20 volunteers come and go throughout the day, with most people getting really hands-on and those who couldn’t do the more physical labour stuff helping out in other ways like make the tea.

“Over the years the owner of the house did house clearances and took things to auction, so it was left with lots of rotten materials, newspapers, furniture and other things – enough to fill a 40 yard skip.

“The Conservative MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke Jack Lopresti also attended the day and got stuck in and grafted like everyone else with wheelbarrows and shovels, he was absolutely fantastic.”

Mrs Nicholls paid tribute to the ‘amazing’ volunteers who helped with the project.

“It went really well and we got most of the place cleared, enough to see the building again” she said.

“I can’t believe how hard-working they were, it was really amazing.”

The centre will be named The Hat Factory in reference to the original chapel’s congregation, many of whom would have been hat-makers from the local industry which flourished in the 1800s in the Watleys End and Frampton Cotterell areas specifically.

Mrs Nicholls added: “A structural survey will take place later this week which will look at the valuation of the building, the cost of works and where facilities like sewage points and electric are, so we will know much the entire project will cost in regards to buying the building and funding the renovation project.”

Parents in Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell, Kate Turton, Kelly Allan and Graeme Burns, are working with Mrs Nicholls on the project.

To find out more about how you can help you can email thehatfactorychapel@inbox.com and follow the project on Facebook.