Plans for a new multi-purpose community centre for Newlyn take centre stage in the port next month when Newlyn Project 2000 holds a fund-raising charity auction.

The group is pulling out all the stops to raise around £750,000 for the ambitious project known as The Centre and is chalking up some remarkable results. The project was set up specifically to raise money to develop a multi-purpose community and its venue is the Trinity Methodist Church on Chywoone Hill, where it is planned to redevelop the existing schoolroom building to provide a modern facility.

Fund-raising has been going on for the past four years and a staggering £180,000 has already been raised and £26,000 spent on essential works.

The project is being supported by Penwith Council, Penzance Town Council, the Regional Development Agency, Newlyn Fish Industry Forum and other important local agencies. Bids have been made to various funding agencies.

Recently, with the support of Michael Galsworthy, chairman of the Newlyn Fishing Industry Forum, the Henry Smith Foundation was approached and a bid of £50,000 made towards building costs.

They were obviously impressed by the ambitious proposals and this week, the Rev Julyan Drew, chairman of the Newlyn Project 2000 development group, announced that £75,000 had been granted.

"This is tremendous news for the village," he said. "Their generous grant is of great importance and will help us to develop the community centre Newlyn so badly needs."

Together with other money raised, about half of the cash needed is now 'in the bank'. In the near future further formal bids will be prepared and expectations are high.

"If promises are turned into pounds and pence, then most of the money needed will soon be available," said Mr Drew.

For some time, Newlyn people have been saying there is a local need for a community centre and now, following a review of their buildings, the Methodist Church in Newlyn has proposed a development that will provide many of the facilities required."

A new entrance will mean that several different activities can be accommodated. The main hall, seating more than 200 people, will be used for church services on Sundays but will be available for other activities during the week. The present stage will be removed and portable staging made available in its place. The hall will be bigger and will continue to accommodate badminton. New first floor rooms are proposed.

The date of the auction at Newlyn Trinity Schoolroom is April 10. Among the lots are a signed autobiography by rugby legend Martin Johnson.

article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN