By Harry Mottram: The two main people behind driving the campaign to Save The Axbridge Methodist Church have published the ideas, feedback and next steps for the project following a public meeting in Axbridge Town Hall.
On Monday 25th November, 2024, around 60 or more people attended the meeting to give their opinions and thoughts on the project to keep the church for community use. The meeting had a panel of interested parties including Paul Hughes and Peter Harding who are driving the plan along with in advisory roles Councillor Pauline Ham, the Mayor Graham Page and the Reverend Andrew Bell and Malcolm Gale from the Methodist Church.
Following the meeting Paul Hughes published a statement on the Next Steps.
1. People at the meeting gave clear voice that they wanted to see the Methodist Church Building saved for use by the community.
2. We now need to pull together clarification of the feasibility of the centre and make sure that we can make our case to The Methodist Church and work together with them to move forward.
3. Reach out and find out about other churches which have been converted into art centre – such as David Hall in South Petherton and the building in Cinderford
4. All attendees provide contact details if they want to be kept informed and get involved. This will be followed up and a Steering Group will be established.
5. We will send initial feedback/proposal to the local Methodist Leadership Team. We will ask for clarification on costs and need for a Structural Survey.
6. We will aim to set up a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or Community Interest Company but in the interim the ‘Axbridge Arts Interest group will come under the umbrella of the Axbridge Action Group.
What emerged from the public meeting was the prospect of a three-year lease while the Axbridge Arts Centre Interest Group are able to assess its viability. These would be restricted by the stipulation by the Methodist Church authorities that the lease if offered would ban the sale or consumption of alcohol. At the end of the three years the group would have the option to buy the building. Based on present figures that is likely only with the help of grants and fundraising.
One imaginative idea from the public meeting was the suggestion the town could be sold to fund the purchase of the church – but this won’t happen as The Town Trust would almost certainly block the idea. Another idea was to suggestion the church would be renamed The Axbridge Ark which seemed to gain approval from the attendees.
It is now up to the Axbridge Arts Centre Interest Group to try and realise the next steps while the pressure is on to come up with a proposal for the church authorities to consider who wish to put the property up for sale with what Axbridge Review understands to be in the region of £200,000. The steering group also need some information as regards the conditions of the building and any associated potential costs for upkeep and updating suitable for an arts or community centre. The Methodist Church authorities will make a decision in March 2025 so the clock is ticking.
For more on the public meeting see https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/2024/11/25/axbridge-review-rev-andrew-bell-no-booze-if-methodist-church-is-leased-church-authorities-will-sell-to-highest-bidder-while-the-public-suggest-various-ideas-in-a-packed-town-hall-including-its-sa/
Axbridge Review is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
Harry is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc
Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk
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