People living in a Holme Valley hamlet have voiced their fears that its heritage village hall may be lost.
The future of Wilshaw Village Hall hangs in the balance as desperate residents say the owners refuse to discuss renewing the lease.
The hall was originally built as a school for local mill workers’ children, before being leased to the Eleanor Hirst Trust – named after the builders’ spouse – 35 years ago.
But despite the lease running out four years ago, residents say the Trust has refused to talk about its future and are worried it may be sold off.
Village Hall Committee member Liz Pearson from Wilshaw said: “We’re getting nowhere. We have been writing to them to ask if we can sit down and discuss future plans for the hall.
“The Trust won’t co-operate with us. They are refusing to have talks but they won’t say why.”
The village hall currently receives grants from Holme Valley Parish Council for maintenance, but residents are worried the building will become delapidated.
“We had a boiler and radiator fitted 12 months ago but there is a lot to be done”, Liz added.
“The hall is the life and soul of the village. It’s so well-used, that’s the sad thing. We hold all sorts from table tennis to flower arranging classes.
“If we lose it, any trace of village life will be gone. We feel cheated that we’ve given so much time to the hall but the owners aren’t giving anything back.”
John Mitchell, from the Eleanor Hirst Trust, said: “The Village Hall Committee rent the hall from the Trust. They’ve paid a peppercorn fee for many years.
“We are currently waiting for a decision to be made about what to do from the Charity Commission, who control these buildings.
“Unless the committee can come up with more ways to bring in income, the future is uncertain.”
