CAMELFORD Rotary Club has recently presented a cheque for £200 to the Old Bank, enabling them to purchase some comfortable new facilities for the town’s youth groups.

Since all the banks pulled out of Camelford, the centre of town has been a bit deserted. Luckily, the lease for the old NatWest building was offered to a charity, at a peppercorn rent, for use as a new community hub. The Maia Project took over the lease at the end of June 2016, and the Old Bank was born!

Following receipt of the keys, there was a flurry of activity, assisted by community service volunteers, to get the centre up and running. Old ground floor partitions were removed, the area was redecorated and new carpets were fitted. The project has received many donations, including a cheque for £200 from Camelford Rotary Club, enabling the centre to buy big bean bags and cushions for the youth groups who meet in the Old Bank.

A launch party was held in September, and since then the centre has been going from strength to strength. Several regular clubs and activities have been running here, all suggested by members of the community. Such activities include model making, photography groups on alternate Monday evenings, life drawing, language club and wind band on alternate Wednesdays, walker groups and a youth café, a book club and even a film night, which both take place monthly.

Everyone is welcome to come and join in, and enjoy the various forthcoming planned events. Have a look on Facebook or the Old Bank’s website at www.theoldbankcamelford.org.uk. Posters can also be found around the town.

Current planned events include first aid training on Saturday, May 6, which will include training in the use of the community defibrillator, plus extra children’s films during the school holidays.

The trustees have expressed thanks to everyone who has supported the project.