Last updated at 14:51, Friday, 02 January 2009

THE dream is finally over for Allendale charity Fawside.

The community venture, feted nationally as an example of good practice just three years ago, will fold in the next few days as its funding runs dry.

Staff have already been made redundant, and its environmentally friendly showpiece premises at Deneholme are being rented out.

Fawside director Margaret Stonehouse, a district councillor in Allendale, said: “A new group is set to take over, but the contracts have not yet been finalised because it is the Christmas holidays and they are out of the country at the minute.

“However, we have worked with them before and everything is going to plan.”

The new tenants will continue to run Deneholme as a conference centre and team building facility. They will pay rent to Fawside, which hopes to use the money to re-establish itself in the future.

Fawside was established by a group of local volunteers in 1991, taking its name from an historic mine near Allenheads. It became a registered charity in 1994 and a limited company in 2004.

It provided a local source of advice, support and direct practical help for community groups and individuals. Fawside’s aim was to tackle rural disadvantage arising from geographical isolation

It has been confirmed that Fawside’s office assistant and only paid worker, Christina John, has been made redundant.

The clerical worker sent an email to colleagues and business contacts stating: “Fawside has no money and will be ‘dormant’ for the forseeable future.

“Ideally they would like to set up in the centre of the village once again and get back to the community work they used to do, but until then...”

Christine Hutchinson, who used Deneholme as a base for her catering business, has also had to find an alternative venue.

Mrs Hutchinson put in a bid to take over the running of Deneholme but was unsuccessful. She has set up a new catering business and cafe in Allenheads.

Other staff have either left voluntarily or were made redundant in August, when Fawside realised it was no longer making money.

Fawside explored the possibility of renting sma-ller alternative premises in Allendale. A recent parish council meeting discussed the possibility of sharing office facilities with Fawside, but failed to find a solution.

First published at 13:40, Friday, 02 January 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk