Penrith and the Border MP Dr Neil Hudson met with project leaders who are in the midst of securing a bright future for a disused village church in Croglin, on the East Fellside.
The Helm at Croglin is a small team aiming to transform the listed building into a bright new visitor centre and community hub.
The focus of the main space will be a permanent exhibition showcasing the history and natural environment of the local area. It will be equipped with a kitchen, broadband, storage and sustainable heat sources, and will also house a post office and a library.
The team have already secured £20,000 from the Inspiring Eden Fund but with much more to raise, Dr Hudson promised to aid the community champions in bidding for funds moving forward.
He said: “It really was joyous to meet the team and hear all about their wonderful plans to breathe life back into this historic building.
“Providing key local rural services as well as providing information and assistance to visitors, I look forward to working hard with the team to make sure we secure a bright future for The Helm.”
Ruth Lawley, chairman of the project, added: “This is such an important community project to rescue this building. The building is at the heart of Croglin and the village needs a heart.
“We need something for the Fellside to basically inform people about the local heritage both from a natural history point of view and from a human point of view. So, it’s a wonderful opportunity to use the building that was left and provide the community asset a secure
future.
“Thank you to Dr Hudson for his interest in the building, for his time and for his support for the project.”
The Helm team are pressing forward with a new series of illustrated talks which will shed light on the fascinating heritage and natural history of the Eden Valley’s East Fellside.
Historian Bruce Bennison will begin the series on Thursday, 16th February with “Chasing Shadows”, an exploration of the coal mining industry that thrived in the fells above Brampton in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Ruth Lawley, who chairs The Helm at Croglin, follows on Thursday, 2nd March, delving into the story of Croglin Grammar School in its heyday from 1660 to 1760 when it produced a string of illustrious pupils.
Natural historian Guy Broome highlights “Wildlife to see in the Fell Foot area” on Thursday, 16th March, from bugs to vertebrates, rare and common, including guidance on where to look and how to find them.
Beekeeper Andrew Hollings concludes the series on Thursday, 20th April with “Bees and beekeeping on the fellside”.
Ruth said: “This series of talks gives a taster of what’s to come. Our area is little known by outsiders yet has such a rich history and unique wildlife habitats. These won’t be dry, academic lectures but fun sessions that leave you seeing familiar places and landscapes in a new light.”
All three talks start at 7-30pm in Croglin village hall.
Meanwhile, the plans to repurpose the church, which has stood empty since 2012, are moving on apace.
The Church of England has agreed to lease the building at a nominal rent. The Helm is now awaiting the outcome of a substantial bid for grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
To find out more, check out The Helm at Croglin Facebook page.
