A shorter version of this article will be published in the parish magazine this weekend (29^th April 2025)

For over 5 years there have been noises about “doing something” to replace the long-lost church hall.  Covid killed the momentum although opinion surveys were done.   Last year noises turned into action, and a consultation exercise took place.

Eight weeks ago supporters met, and a committee was formed to take on what is now the “Elm Community Hub Project” to be housed in the back of the church, making better use of the available space, whilst maintaining the sacred purpose of the remainder of the building.  In a few weeks the committee has already:

• Opened a bank account, into which we already have grants from both Elm Parish and Fenland District Councils
• Created a website (https://elmcommunityhub.uk/) where you can find a link to the architect’s initial options document.
• Started a blog on that site to which you can subscribe to stay up to date
• Conducted a site visit to a similar project near Cambridge and came away and come away inspired with more ideas
• Agreed with the PCC to take on the first major works (to fix the drainage and damp problems in the church) – part of the necessary infrastructure improvements before we can initiate the hub itself
• Started liaising with Diocesan support to work out how to get further grant funding to build a hub
• Commenced the process of considering design ideas for the space along with all the other works to fix the building: heating, lighting, parking, access, etc.

The committee will need lots of help, support and ideas from you – the Elm community. The hub will be for everyone, so if you’ve an interest in new community facilities in the village and/or the improvement of the church building, then please contact us via the website contact page.  But we’ll be organising a presentation to the community after Easter, and we’d really like as many as possible to be there bringing ideas, big and small.