TRIMDON GRANGE COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2025 Supporting our community, bringing people together and creating opportunities for all. ATTHE HEART OF OUR Salters Lane. Trimdon Grange. Co Durham,TS29 6PB 07899 824429 CommunityntretIImdOD9lange@gma11.corn www.trimdongrangecommunitycentre.org.uk Find us on Facebook= Trirndon Grange Comrnunity Centre Registered Charity No. 01157343
Trimdon Grange Community Centre – Annual Report 2025
Background Information
Trimdon Grange Community Centre has proudly served the community for over 100 years, originally built as a school before becoming the valued community facility it is today. It remains a unique and vital space within the village, providing a welcoming place where people of all ages can meet, relax, and enjoy a wide range of activities.
The building is owned by Durham County Council, with the day-to-day running overseen by a dedicated Management Committee made up of local volunteers, established in 1960. Their continued commitment ensures the centre remains active, sustainable, and at the heart of the community.
building. These include new windows and doors, central heating, updated flooring and lighting, full internal and external decoration, resurfacing of the car park, and the creation of a community garden. More recently, continued investment has ensured the centre meets modern standards, including the installation of a new boiler system in 2024.
The centre is fully accessible and DDA compliant, with accessible toilet facilities, a ramped entrance, and automatic doors. Additional features include CCTV, security lighting, and a well-maintained, restored wooden floor that remains a standout feature of the building. All electrical equipment is regularly PAT tested, ensuring a safe environment for all users.
We continue to improve our facilities for community use, o�ering free Wi-Fi, access to computers, laptops, and an iPad, alongside a refurbished meeting room equipped with a high-tech projector and screen. The centre also proudly houses the Trimdon Grange Miners’ Banner, celebrating the rich heritage of the village. Work is ongoing with local residents to collect and display historical photographs, preserving the story of our community for future generations.
Through strong partnership working and community consultation, we have successfully delivered major outdoor improvements, including the Play Area and Multi-Use Games Area, raising over £150,000 in funding. This achievement reflects the strength of collaboration between the community, partner organisations, and local supporters.
works. These proposed improvements include a brand-new kitchen, upgraded ladies’ and gents’ toilet facilities, and essential building works to address damp issues, alongside re-plastering and redecoration. These developments will further enhance the centre and ensure it remains a safe, modern, and accessible space for the whole community.
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As we move forward, the centre continues to build on its strong foundations, adapting to the needs of the community while remaining a friendly and inclusive place for all.
AIMS / OBJECTIVES “A Friendly Place to Be!”
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surrounding communities.
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To bring people together, both young and old, by providing a welcoming meeting place and a warm, comfortable environment to socialise.
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To provide accessible opportunities for learning and development, enabling individuals to broaden their skills and knowledge locally, without the need to travel.
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To o�er a versatile space for celebrations, community events, parties, functions, and business seminars.
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To develop and support youth provision and activities, ensuring young people in our community have opportunities to engage, be heard, and reach their full potential.
Management Committee Members
Chairperson: Mr Paul Stephens
Vice Chairperson:
Mr David Smith
Treasurer:
Mrs Pamela Kay Duddin
Secretary:
Mrs Susan Carrington
Centre Coordinator: Miss Amanda Wallace
Caretaker:
Mrs Trudy Stephens
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Executive Members: Mrs Fran Elliott Mrs Geraldine Wilson Mrs Darryll Ramage
Committee Members:
Joanne Maddison
Friends of TGCC:
Anne Dent Lynsey Pike Alan Athey Gary Gunn
Representatives of the Management Committee
The Management Committee works in partnership with a number of key organisations and local representatives to support the ongoing development and success of Trimdon Grange Community Centre.
Partner Organisations:
Durham County Council East Durham Trust Trimdon Parish Council Cornforth Partnership
Local Councillors:
Cllr Susan Husband Cllr Mary Lynn Franklin
What’s On at TGCC
Find us on Facebook: Trimdon Grange Community Centre
For further details about our programme or to become a TGCC volunteer, please contact us on 07899 824429 or email communitycentretrimdongrange@gmail.com.
Opening Times
Our centre is open every weekday:
- 10:30am – 12.30pm for freshly baked scones, refreshments, and social interaction
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We are proud to be a Warm Welcome Space.
During warmer months, visitors can also enjoy our award-winning garden, maintained by our dedicated volunteers.
We are always looking for new volunteers - please get in touch if you would like to get involved.
We actively encourage participants to take part in a range of activities within the centre. Many individuals attend multiple sessions, with sta� and volunteers supporting them to move between groups to improve confidence, reduce isolation, and support overall wellbeing.
Weekly Activities
Monday
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Cornforth Partnership Youth Club
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4:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuesday
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Chair-Based Yoga (£5) – 11:00am – 12:00pm
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Afternoon Crafts & Sewing with Jan (£4) – 1:00pm – 3:00pm
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Table Tennis Club (£4) – 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Wednesday
- Ladies Dance/Fitness Class (£5) – 11:00am – 12:00pm
Thursday
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NDance (Ages 5+) – Juniors & Seniors 4:00pm - 5:00pm (£1)
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NDance Musical Theatre & Street Dance (Ages 11+) – 5:00pm - 6:00pm (£1)
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Hazel Tree Sounds & Holistics - Monthly Sound Bath
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Inner Peace Coaching - Monthly Calming Voice Session
Friday
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Walking Group – meet at 10:00am (all abilities welcome)
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Monthly Bingo – 7:00pm (FREE entry, licensed bar)
Saturday & Sunday
- Available for private bookings (with or without marquee)
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Additional Information
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A wide range of events take place throughout the year - keep an eye on our Facebook page or visit the centre for updates.
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Rooms are available to hire for parties, celebrations, meetings, and educational events at a�ordable rates.
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We o�er support for vulnerable residents and can keep in touch via WhatsApp during emergencies or power cuts.
Contact & Website
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07899 824429
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communitycentretrimdongrange@gmail.com
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www.trimdongrangecommunitycentre.org.uk
Events & Activities in 2025
Throughout 2025, Trimdon Grange Community Centre delivered a wide range of activities and events for all ages, bringing the community together and providing opportunities for socialising, learning, and wellbeing.
Community & Wellbeing Activities
We continued to host a variety of regular and one-o� sessions to support wellbeing and community engagement, including:
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Clairvoyant evenings, which were popular with local residents
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Ring making workshops, o�ering creative opportunities for participants
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“Leaner for Life” sessions, supporting personal development and skills
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Mens group
social connection.
Family & Children’s Activities
Supporting families and young people remains a key priority. During school holidays, we delivered a range of engaging activities, including:
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Easter Walk and Easter Crafts during half term
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Summer holiday programme with activities in the centre and bus trips to Redcar and South Shields
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Animal Encounters during October half term, which was extremely well received by children
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Halloween Party for local families
These activities were made possible thanks to funding from Livin and support from Cornforth Partnership, helping us provide accessible and a�ordable opportunities for families.
Trips & Social Events
We organised a number of trips and social events throughout the year, including:
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Day trip to Whitby
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Christmas shopping trip to York
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Trip to the pantomime to see Snow White
These outings provided valuable opportunities for residents to socialise and enjoy experiences outside of the village.
Community Celebrations & Popular Events
Our larger events continued to bring the community together and were extremely well attended:
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Armed Forces Day (June) – a highlight of the year
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Multiple Bingo Nights, providing fun and a�ordable entertainment
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Prosecco Afternoon Tea, which proved very popular and a great success
Festive Programme
The end of the year saw a busy and successful festive period, including:
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Wreath making workshops
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Breakfast with Mrs Claus for children
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Winter Wonderland event
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Christmas Markets
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Adult Christmas Party
These events helped create a strong sense of community spirit and celebration.
Looking Back
needs and interests of our community. From wellbeing sessions and creative workshops to large-scale events and family activities, the centre continues to be a hub of activity and a welcoming space for all.
2025 Highlights
Smiles all round at our Easter Walk – thanks to our brilliant volunteers!
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In June 2025 we held our annual Armed Forces Day and Family Fun Day, which was once again a huge success. The event continues to grow year on year, attracting families from across the local area and beyond to enjoy a fantastic day together.
The day featured a wide range of attractions including Emergency Services, Cadet groups, children’s games and entertainment, fairground rides, live performances, and much more. It was a brilliant community event, bringing people together to celebrate and show support for our Armed Forces.
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From crafts to games and trips out, our summer holiday activities kept children engaged and entertained throughout the 6 weeks.
Our Afternoon Tea was a great success, bringing people together for a relaxed and social afternoon.
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Animal Encounters – a fantastic experience for the children, who loved getting up close with the animals.
Our Halloween Party was a big hit with the children, full of fun, laughter, and spooky surprises.
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Halloween Bingo night bringing the community together for an evening of fun and entertainment.
Breakfast with Mrs Claus – a magical morning for the children.
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Our Winter Wonderland event brought festive fun and excitement to the community.
Looking Ahead – 2026
As we move forward, our aim is to continue growing from strength to strength by:
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Providing more services for all age groups through e�ective networking with partner organisations
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Ensuring sustainability to continue employing our centre coordinator, supported by our dedicated volunteers and Management Committee
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Recruiting and training more volunteers for both regular and ad hoc activities
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Delivering more community events, including larger outdoor events
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Communicating e�ectively with centre users through face-to-face engagement and questionnaires, ensuring we meet the needs of the whole community
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Leading the way in environmentally friendly initiatives and projects
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challenges, maintaining it as a vibrant hub for all to enjoy
Follow us on Facebook: Trimdon Grange Community Centre
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A Massive Thank You for Your Continued Support
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all organisations, partners, and individuals who have supported Trimdon Grange Community Centre throughout the year. Your continued support enables us to provide services, activities, and opportunities for our community.
With special thanks to:
Tecknoware Livin Believe Cornforth Partnership East Durham Trust Trimdon Parish Council COOP Point North Ministry of Defence Durham County Council
And most importantly, our local community and volunteers, whose dedication and support make everything we do possible.
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Trlmdon Grango Community Assocknuon. 2025 irtroductlon In examination of the accl for the Trimdth Community Association was carried Jt for the per40d 1 January 2025 to December 2(Y25. The contents of this report have been disojwed and agreed with the Treasurer and any recommerKlations are iThluded in Ihe feport. Scope of the Review The examination lesled and evaluated the effirien¢¥ and effectiveness of the tng)me and expenditure cOrdS. The areas of financ381 and adminislralive arlity examined induded.. Income and expendilure $h l)ook bank stalemenls. receiptsf1nvois, Findlngs The Treasurer recor(Js all inc(Mne and expenditure on a spreadsheet Cash book, whieh is broken down into Categories, and lolals sh¢)wn however. there appears lo be no bank renlIatIon carried out to the fur¥J reu)rd during the year. On examining the spreadsheet. I was able to ete a statement of accounts and bank reconc41ialion for the current account. One {l$landing theque Vfds over 1 year old and I would recommend writing this bad( into the Cash Book. Using the Spadsheet recnrds a stalement of a(£ounts arNJ fund renCarIall0n was WodUd del811ing all the receipts and payfftenls for the period. This gave a surplus for the year of fund £26,686.12 which gave a fund reo)rd of £ll.539.60 whith re(x)naled lo the (xjrrent acwunl bank statement as al 31 De(mber 2025 The Community Centre also holds a deposrt a¢Unt rewwled as at 30th September 2025. ConclusionslRecommendations Records have improved by fecording the ino)me and expendilure on a spreadsheet as recommend previously. however it would be belter if 2 files were used 1 for income and 1 for expenditure as this can be or)nfusing. There is no evidents that the recA)rrts are regulady re(y)nciled to Ihe bank statements, this would make sure Ihal all rethrds are property recorded on the sprealsheet and pick up any errors earfier. Gordon Fletcher, {C.M.l.l.A.) Fund Auditor, Dated.. 18th March 20206.
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Trlmdon Grango Community Assocknuon. 2025 irtroductlon In examination of the accl for the Trimdth Community Association was carried Jt for the per40d 1 January 2025 to December 2(Y25. The contents of this report have been disojwed and agreed with the Treasurer and any recommerKlations are iThluded in Ihe feport. Scope of the Review The examination lesled and evaluated the effirien¢¥ and effectiveness of the tng)me and expenditure cOrdS. The areas of financ381 and adminislralive arlity examined induded.. Income and expendilure $h l)ook bank stalemenls. receiptsf1nvois, Findlngs The Treasurer recor(Js all inc(Mne and expenditure on a spreadsheet Cash book, whieh is broken down into Categories, and lolals sh¢)wn however. there appears lo be no bank renlIatIon carried out to the fur¥J reu)rd during the year. On examining the spreadsheet. I was able to ete a statement of accounts and bank reconc41ialion for the current account. One {l$landing theque Vfds over 1 year old and I would recommend writing this bad( into the Cash Book. Using the Spadsheet recnrds a stalement of a(£ounts arNJ fund renCarIall0n was WodUd del811ing all the receipts and payfftenls for the period. This gave a surplus for the year of fund £26,686.12 which gave a fund reo)rd of £ll.539.60 whith re(x)naled lo the (xjrrent acwunl bank statement as al 31 De(mber 2025 The Community Centre also holds a deposrt a¢Unt rewwled as at 30th September 2025. ConclusionslRecommendations Records have improved by fecording the ino)me and expendilure on a spreadsheet as recommend previously. however it would be belter if 2 files were used 1 for income and 1 for expenditure as this can be or)nfusing. There is no evidents that the recA)rrts are regulady re(y)nciled to Ihe bank statements, this would make sure Ihal all rethrds are property recorded on the sprealsheet and pick up any errors earfier. Gordon Fletcher, {C.M.l.l.A.) Fund Auditor, Dated.. 18th March 20206.
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