A derelict listed building in the grounds of Rowdeford School has been painstakingly restored into an arts centre providing therapy for children with autism.
The former coach house had been empty since 1955 and the trustees of the Rowdeford Charity Trust were prepared to demolish it but were told by English Heritage that it was important and could not be knocked down.
Three years of fund-raising has resulted in the coach house being restored with a performance space and meeting rooms inside.
Ingrid Lancaster-Gaye, headteacher of Rowdeford School, said: “It is being used for music, dance and drama. There will be a whole range of activities going on.
“We are using it for our pupils but we also want to run courses for colleagues in other schools who need to have training in autism and social and communication difficulties.
“We would also like children in mainstream schools, who need a more personalised curriculum, to come and use it.”
Furniture designer Mark Wilkinson, who lives in Bromham, has been patron of the arts centre project since last March.
He said: “The arts centre is exciting. I visited it when kids were doing street dance and they were having a ball, it was inspiring. If they were in a mainstream school they would be in the corner feeling vulnerable and broken.”
Mr Wilkinson is severely dyslexic and left school unable to read or write. He believes Rowdeford is a school to be cherished.
“Rowdeford helps a lot of needy children and provides such excellent education. It’s a great place,” he said.
The cost of creating the centre is £600,000 and the Rowdeford Charity Trust still needs to raise £50,000.
The money has come from various events and donations including from the former Kennet District Council, Henry Smith Trust and Clothworkers Trust.
Gazette & Herald - 28th January 2010