Edward Hain Centre To Celebrate First Year with a Jam-Packed Open Day Event

The Edward Hain Centre in St. Ives is gearing up to mark its first anniversary with a ‘Jamboree’ Open Day on Saturday, September 14th. The event celebrates the one-year milestone since the building was purchased from the NHS, and will feature a full day of activities, including sales, raffles, an auction, live music, exhibitions, and all-day refreshments. The community is invited to join the festivities, with free entry from 10 am to 4 pm.

A Year of Transformation

Visitors attending the event will get the chance to tour the Centre and see the impressive changes made over the past year. The grounds, once overgrown, are now tidy, and the building’s interior has been renovated to create bright and welcoming spaces. The tour will showcase these transformations and highlight ongoing projects.

Centre manager Sharron Goldingay, who has overseen the extensive renovations, expressed her enthusiasm for the event. ‘We’re excited to show visitors around and share what we’ve achieved so far,’ she said, adding, ‘But as people will see, there’s still a lot to do.’

A Birthday Gift: Town Deal Funding

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the Centre recently received a £31,000 grant from Cornwall Council’s Town Deal fund. This funding will cover the final stages of renovations upstairs and address essential upgrades, such as widening a fire door.

Lynne Isaacs, the Centre’s chair, said, ‘The timing makes it feel like the icing on our birthday cake!’ The Town Deal grant, combined with a generous donation that enabled the repair of the Centre’s lift, means that upstairs rooms will soon be ready to house the Centre’s first full-time health and wellbeing tenants, expected to move in by the end of September.

Sharron Goldingay noted, ‘Having the upstairs open is a big step for us,’ emphasising how the Centre is expanding its community offerings.

Photo: Community workshop (Volunteer Cornwall) 

Fundraising Still Needed

Despite the progress, there is more work to be done, and the Centre’s team is keenly aware of the ongoing need for funding. Trustee Phil Barnett pointed out that fundraising efforts are far from over. ‘Many people thought once the building was purchased, that was it,’ Phil explained. ‘But like all charities, our fundraising is nonstop, whether from grants, donations, or events.’

The Open Day will have a fundraising element, with items available for purchase at ‘donate what you like’ prices, as well as an auction featuring prizes donated by local businesses. However, Phil stressed that the main focus of the day is community celebration: ‘We reckon it’s worth coming along just to take a peek at the improvements, and grab a cup of tea or coffee while you’re there.’

A Day for the Community

With community and wellbeing at its heart, the Edward Hain Centre’s mission is to offer services for all, and the Open Day promises to reflect this vision. Whether you’re interested in the auction, local music, or simply a relaxed day out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of the celebrations and witness first-hand the transformation of this local hub, as the Edward Hain Centre continues to grow and serve St. Ives.

Photo: ’Knit & Natter’ community group