At an Inaugural Meeting on Thursday, 24 February 2005 a Group was formed consisting of 12 volunteers representing various Tickhill community interests. The Group would function as a sub-committee of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Mary’s Parish Church. Its Terms of Reference were:

a.   To explore possible, feasible future uses for the Parish Room, to evaluate these options and recommend a preferred solution.

b.   To suggest a plan by which the preferred solution may be achieved and to submit a report to St Mary‘s PCC

The Group elected Philip Mottram as Chairman and operating procedures were agreed.

Extensive research was undertaken covering the history of the building, its present condition, its limitations and future potential and also its position in relation to other meeting places in the town. Three suitable Architect’s practices were identified and assessed and Wiles & Maguire of York finally chosen. Possible sources of funding for the production of a Feasibility Study were explored and applications for an estimated £4,530 submitted to two: the Community Forum and Yorkshire Rural Community Council (YRCC). The former could only offer partial funding and so the YRCC was selected. An application was submitted on 10 June 2005. This was approved on 3 August 2005 and Susan Parker, a YRCC officer was appointed to help with the project.

As work towards the Feasibility Study proceeded the Group was told that YRCC (funded by Objective 1, Defra and the EU) had £1 million to spend on 5 community buildings in South Yorkshire and that we should complete a Registration of Interest Form. Matching funding would not be needed and so the full £200,000 could be requested. The form had to be submitted by 30 September 2005.

Meanwhile the Feasibility Study continued. The Architects surveyed the building and produced provisional design schemes. A local photography enthusiast took 24 pictures of the existing building for archive purposes. A Questionnaire was prepared and 1,000 copies distributed. The analysed results showed substantial approval for the project. An Open Day and Exhibition on Saturday, 29 October 2005 was a well attended and successful event and comments from visitors were favourable.

Early in November the PCC fully approved the recommendation that the building should be leased for an extended term to a Management Committee for widespread community use, provided that adequate funding for alterations could be secured.

With the acceptance by YRCC of the Registration of Interest application, the Group was urged to develop a full Grant Application before the deadline date of 31 January 2006. This involved compiling evidence of the need for the project, submitting a planning application and preparing a Business Plan showing financial viability for 5 years ahead. The Group had reservations about the original design proposals, feeling that the new kitchen would be too small. A modified scheme was put forward and accepted by the Architects, who then produced a revised design. The Architects, on the Group’s behalf, applied for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent on 20 January 2006.

Final bound copies of the various elements of the application were duly handed over on 31 January 2006.

By the end of the first year of the Group’s activities the results of the application were not known. It has been a hugely busy year for all the Group members who have worked untiringly to meet very demanding deadlines. Achievement so far has been a wonderful team effort carried out in a harmonious spirit. It has been an inspiring experience. Grateful thanks are due to all concerned with the achievement to date.