IT is toasty warm inside Marsden Mechanics again after the village came together to raise £5,000 for a new heating system.
The historic building was hit by a series of misfortunes between Christmas and New Year including theft and storm damage.
But the final straw was the failure of the heating inside premises used by a collection of organisations including Marsden Library and Information Centre, Marsden Community Association and Mikron Theatre Company.
The 200-capacity main hall is also the headline for Marsden’s annual jazz festival.
But an appeal for the money was quickly picked up by the community, including Colne Valley Lions who donated a cheque for £500, and a succession of local businesses.
Dark Woods coffee also donated to the cause and to Holme Valley Mountain Rescue from its first pop up café day of 2020.
The hall opened in 1861 as a free adult education centre. Previously owned by Kirklees Council, the Grade II listed building has been run by Marsden Community Trust since March 31, 2017.
Pete Toon from the Mikron Theatre Company said: “We had a hard Christmas/New Year period with some vandalism and wind damage. Then the main boiler decided it wasn’t going to work.
“When you added it all up with the work and insurance premiums that go up, it was nearly £5,000
“Even if everyone in the village had given us £1 we would still have been short
“It is the heart of the community and crucial to the thrust of village life every day.”
The emergency appeal was launched in early January and soon touched a chord with locals. One person even donated £1, returning the following day with another £1. By the end of the month the target had been reached.
For more information about the Mechanics and events taking place visit www.marsdenmechanics.co.uk
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