LARC Development Trust

1. The Grange Court Project LARC Development Trust LARCDevelopment Trust

2. Leominster Market House 1851 John Varley RA

3. Leominster’s Market House was built in 1633 by John Abel, self-styled ‘Architector’ He was later dubbed ‘King’s Carpenter’ by Charles I for services during the siege of Hereford John died in 1674 aged 97

5. The building was moved to its present location in 1859, and converted to a house

6. The architectural quality tailed off at the back

7. In April 2008 the Local Authority officially signed off Grange Court as ‘Surplus to the County’s Requirement’ and agreed to transfer it to LARC for the sum of £1. LARC Development Trust

8. LARC is an organisation of local Leominster people It was set up in 1993 to administer the Government’s Single Regeneration Budget funding on behalf of the Town. It is composed, equally, of members drawn from the Private business sector Public and council sector Voluntary sector. LARC is now a Development Trust and Registered Charity

9. LARC’s aims for the Project:financially self-supporting To return ownership of the building to Leominster people To make it fully and freely accessible to everyone To manage it as a Community and Voluntary Sector Hub To make it’s quality known and appreciated LARC Development Trust

10. ConsultationQuestionnaire and Leaflets We distributed 12,500 leaflets and questionnaires via Leominster Journal, the library, churches and shops 98% of returns favourable with some excellent ideas contributed.

11. ConsultationPublic Meetings We held two well-attended public meetings (this one is at the Secondary School), several meetings with nearby residents and briefings for local town and county council members.

12. Criticisms Victorian Staircase This stair had been cut through the upstairs Hall when it was converted to a house in 1859. The stair was too steep and dangerous for use by the public. English Heritage agreed to its removal provided that it was professionally recorded first.

13. Criticisms Tree Felling This is the Austrian Pine which, with seven other lesser trees, was felled as part of the project. Our independent tree expert graded it only Category B due to its limited life and tendency to drop branches. Nevertheless a small group threatened to chain themselves to it.

14. Graffiti protest

15. The former first floor plan

16. The first floor south office Coach House

17. The IT server room

18. General arrangement of the Project proposals General Arrangement of Proposed Development

19. Consents Listed Building Planning Permission Design & Access Historical Report Bat Survey Environmental Tree Survey Ecology Archaeology Building Regulations

20. 7th June 2013. Cllr Olwen Barnet exchanges the keys for £1

21. Official Opening Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley, opened the new building on 31st May 2014 LARC Development Trust

22. Grange Court has become the Town’s focus for all kinds of social and community activities Leominster Area Regeneration Company

23. Spinners Day

24. Public Meetings

25. Christmas 2013

26. Santa and Elves

27. Drum Workshop

28. Bunting Workshop for Children in Need

29. Repair Cafe

30. Story-Telling

31. Pancake Day Contestants

33. Period Dancers

34. Children’s Games

35. Sport on The Grange

36. Weddings

37. ..and as a base for expeditions and outings.

38. We even helped the Town Council choose new staff – a Fish-Taster, Ale-Taster and Bread-weigher

39. Where Next? Leominster is currently a secondary tourist destination; LARC’s ultimate aim is to have the majority of our visitors choosing Leominster as their main objective. LARC now has the structure, constitution and track record to give confidence to funding bodies. We are able to set up partnerships with other organisations for specific projects. LARC Development Trust