Eleven years after the architect first drew the renovation plans for a multi-purpose church and community centre at Trinity Methodist Chapel, the Duchess of Gloucester pulled up in a black limousine, elegantly dressed in cream.

After a warm welcome by the Rev Julyan Drew and his brother, Jerry, who is development manager at the new centre, Her Royal Highness was presented with a posy from a pretty nine-year-old called Romi Carbis before touring the building and meeting with many who had made The Centre a reality.

"Congratulations to everyone who has been involved," she said.

"I have had such pleasure meeting so many of you and hearing how this centre has helped you and I wish everyone who comes to use it the very best."

The royal visit from the Danish wife of the Queen's first cousin was the culmination of a long and difficult struggle to fund a desperately needed chapel and centre for community activities in Newlyn.

The 1832 Trinity Methodist Chapel, which adjoins The Centre, was condemned in the mid-90s preventing the parishioners from using the chapel that had been their place of worship for generations.

"When we were told we weren't allowed to use it we had to do something," said Enid Stevenson. "I have used this chapel all my life."

As one of seven of The Centre's development team, Mrs Stevenson has been at the forefront of the fight to modernise the Trinity Methodist Chapel's former Sunday school rooms, which date back to 1912. In eight long years of fund-raising - during which time the entire community pulled together to organise countless events - more than £250,000 was raised to add to the total renovation costs. "There were some who didn't think we could do it," she said, "but here we are, and now more people are using it than we ever thought possible.

"It feels wonderful to know I have been part of something that can be used by future generations."

The renovation of the three-storey centre was designed by Andy Williams, of Poynter Bradbury Wynter Cole architects.

Surveying was done by Ron Kidd, of Ron Kidd Associates in Truro, and Richard Johns and Adam Courtney, and R John Fabricators in Newlyn made the steel railings surrounding the building.

The sports flooring of the Tolcarne Hall on the ground floor seats 180 for Sunday church services and the Sanctuary window has been beautifully designed with stained glass images depicting Cornwall's beauty.

Victoria Reid, the Newlyn artist who won the commission, said she captured the essence literally on location.

"I made the window in a shed in a field and went out walking in the fields to find the elements," she said.

"It felt a huge responsibility to catch how it really feels to live here and to be surrounded by such beauty," she said.

The centre's magnificent oak and copper furniture pieces, which include a pulpit, bench-style seating and a candle stand that can be turned into a font, are the designs of metal sculptors Michael Johnson and Peter Wilson, of the Copper Works, Newlyn, while the woodwork has been beautifully carved by David Need, Newlyn boat builder, of Marine Crafts.

Meeting rooms are situated on the top floor and a music room and sports area on the lower ground level.

Jerry Drew said more than 1,500 people take part in a long list of activities ranging from karate, crafts, dance and computer lessons to Cornish language and the study of Shakespeare's sonnets.

"When you consider the population of Newlyn is around 4,000 you can see how important it has become," he said.

"The Centre is now the heart of the community and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved."

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN 

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