Moretonhampstead Development Trust
- Moretonhampstead Development Trust
The Development Trust was established in its original form in 1995 to promote the economic and social regeneration of Moretonhampstead. Since 1996, the Development Trust has now raised over two million pounds for local projects. The Trust's early initiatives included: the Visitor Information Centre, the Computer Learning Centre and the Public Art Project. Most recently it has established the Green Hill Art and Heritage Centre. It has also worked with other local organisations developing projects such as King George V Sports and Community Centre.
The Trust worked with four other Dartmoor Towns to develop The Dartmoor Way (a cycling and walking route around Dartmoor). In 1998 the Trust also set up Moretonhampstead Association for Youth as a separate charity, continuing to give it staff support for Easter and Summer Play schemes and a range of youth projects.
In February 2004 the Information Centre was established as a separate company limited by guarantee, and in May 2004, the Trust was also incorporated as a new company limited by guarantee with the following new objects:
1.The advancement of education, training or retraining, particularly among unemployed people, and providing unemployed people with work experience:
2.The creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings, and/or land for use on favourable terms:
3.The maintenance, improvement or provision of public amenities:
4.The preservation of buildings or sites of historic or architectural importance:
5.The provision of recreational facilities for the public at large or those who by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances, have need of such facilities:
6.Such other means as may from time to time be determined subject to the prior written consent of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales.
The Trust has worked on the Parish Plan together with the local Moretonhampstead Parish Council, a copy of which is available on request and the Wray Valley Trail Cycling route which is commencing work shortly. More information can be found in the report on the DNPA website.
The most recent project was the complete refurbishment of the well-loved Victorian Primary school into a mixed use community resource now open and housing an art gallery, heritage centre, artist's studios, offices, and a youth centre. A Centre Manager, Katheryn Hope, is employed on a part-time basis. She can be contacted via telephone: 01647 440775, or e-mail via our Contact page. To find out more about the Green Hill Arts and Heritage centre please visit the Green Hill website.
Moretonhampstead Development Trust