WASHBURN Heritage Centre is casting an optimistic eye towards its tenth anniversary - despite currently being in ‘lockdown’.

The Fewston-based facility, which adjoins the Church of St Michael and St Lawrence, quickly became an important arts and community hub after opening in early 2011.

The centre, often in conjunction with the church, hosts themed exhibitions each year along with a programme of talks, walks, suppers, concerts and other activities. Its tea room also does a brisk trade and in its new annual report the management committee reports that 2019 was ‘an exceptional year’ for the cafe.

It says: “We believe the introduction of customers being able to pay by card has had a positive effect and once our volunteers got the hang of it, we were on our way. Our tea-room continues to be popular with walkers, cyclists and families.”

In the report’s introduction the Rector of the Benefice of Washburn and Mid-Wharfe, Reverend Stephen McCaulay, describes how the centre helps the church ‘serve the community in new and exciting ways’. He adds: “The varied programme that the centre offers each year celebrates the history of the Washburn Valley and of those who have lived here down the centuries.”

The centre relies on voluntary help and over the past 12 months has had a 91-strong team undertaking all kinds of tasks, including managing its growing archive.

Volunteer researchers were also behind a new book that was published last year; Life and Death in the Washburn Valley tells the story of 22 people whose remains were identified during an excavation at the church grounds.

The centre held its first Washburn Christmas Market over the weekend of November 30 and December 1, when it also launched the Washburn Valley Recipe Book. Financially 2019 was a good year too with the centre generating £64,195 of income and, by the end of the year, having £72,627 in the bank.

Management Committee Chair, Sally Robinson, acknowledges the sudden impact that the coronavrius impact has had since the report was completed in March. She said: “Little did we know what was in front of us. The centre closed on March 17 and will remain closed until we are advised we can open again.

She is optimistic, however, about what lies ahead.

Her conclusion states: “2019 has clearly been another successful year - and it may be hard to believe, but next year brings our tenth anniversary.

“We look to the future with great enthusiasm and optimism.”