Future 'looks bright' for former primary school in Startforth

PROSPECTS at one of Teesdale’s newest community centres look bright despite uncertainty over its future ownership, a council has heard.

An update on the current situation at the former Startforth Morritt Memorial primary school revealed how the community centre now housed inside the building had secured a “stronger income”.

Parish chairwoman Cllr Sue Ellwood told Startforth Parish Council the income and expenditure sheet she’d seen for the community centre was “a bit scary”.

But she said she was pleased centre chairman Colin Clarke had attracted so many groups.

She added: “For the long term it’s great that it’s getting used – it demonstrates there is a demand and an excellent increase.”

The parish council awarded £10,000 to the Morritt Memorial Community Centre late last year to help ready it for Kirklands Nursery and other groups who use the building.

The site itself is half owned by the Diocese of Leeds and half by Durham County Council.

Cllr Pat Estall revealed a meeting between the stakeholders due last month did not take place – slowing progress on finding out what can be done in future.

Meanwhile, interest from the Morritt Memorial Fund has helped keep the centre moving.

Cllr Ellwood added: “We have been very supportive with it and having Kirklands coming in as a tenant on a long term basis and other clubs coming in helps.”