St Nicholas Church Centre in Corfe Mullen, which is carrying out its Jubilee Refurbishment Project, has been provided with a funding boost of £27,000 from Talbot Village Trust.

Work hasn’t taken place since the centre was built in 1996.

The Rev Jane Burgess, rector of St Nicholas Church, said: “The generous contribution to the project from Talbot Village Trust has ensured that a well-used community resource can be updated to be fit for purpose for the next 25 years.”

The church centre is a popular community hub for various local groups and clubs in the area, and typically hosts around 1,000 people per week.

The main enhancements included new carpets throughout the main communal areas and a full redecoration of the main entrance. Other more subtle changes have been introduced to make the centre more accessible and environmentally friendly, such as motion-activated LED lights and sensor-operated taps in the toilets.

Jane Burgess added: “The overall project spend is likely to exceed £150,000 and the donation from Talbot Village Trust has enabled us to engage other donors and make a lasting long-term impact for the next generation of users.”

Some elements of the project are yet to be implemented, such as upgrades to the heating system and the installation of bi-fold doors to level access to a new patio area, which will commence in December. This will allow the centre to facilitate one of their rooms for both indoor and outdoor use.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury and chairman of Talbot Village Trust, said: “The St Nicholas Church Centre is a central hub for the community and is a place of great importance for many within the village. We’re so pleased to have assisted in making such a long overdue regeneration project happen, as it will make a huge difference to those that rely on the centre to connect with others.”

To learn more about the St. Nicholas Church Centre or to book a room, please visit: www.parishofcorfemullen.church/spaces

To apply for funding from the Talbot Village trust, visit www.talbotvillagetrust.org to submit an online application.