About the centre

At the heart of Denholme.

A charity-run community centre on Main Road, opposite the Co-op, with rooms, activities, events, library sessions and a warm welcome for all ages.

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Charity-runRegistered Charity No: 1176755.

Built around people, not just rooms.

Denholme Community Centre gives the village somewhere practical, friendly and useful to meet. People come here for lunch club, creative groups, fitness, support sessions, private hire, community events and everyday conversations.

It is a place for organisers, families, volunteers, regular hirers and anyone who wants to be part of village life.

01

Useful rooms.

Spaces for parties, meetings, classes, support groups, celebrations and local projects.

02

Regular life.

A weekly rhythm of clubs, sessions, groups and activities that people can keep coming back to.

03

Village welcome.

A friendly centre in the middle of Denholme, close to shops, buses and everyday village life.

Our history

Saved by the village.

Denholme Community Centre was created in January 2018 so the Denholme Mechanics Institute could be transferred from Bradford Metropolitan District Council into community hands.

In 2017, local people learned the building was at risk of closure because of council budget pressures. More than 900 people signed a petition to keep it open.

The building was due to close on 31 March 2018. Instead, local residents formed the charity, became trustees and took over the running of the centre on 1 April 2018 under a 99-year lease.

2017

Closure threat

The village rallied when the building was at risk.

900+

Names added

A local petition showed how much the centre mattered.

2018

Community takeover

Trustees took responsibility on 1 April 2018.

99 years

Long lease

The centre was secured for future generations.

Today the centre hosts regular groups, events and the local Community Library. It is also headquarters to Denholme Town Council, with Dance Factory Studios based on the first floor.

People

The people behind it

Chair of Trustees

Shane Hollingdrake

Vice Chair and Centre Manager

Christine Young

Trustee

Anne Sherriff

Trustee

John Young

Trustee

Gareth Davies

Caretaker

Sammy Appleyard

Centre Cleaner

Pauline Lister

Bartender

Mel Thomas

Chair of Trustees

Shane Hollingdrake

  • Leads the trustee board and keeps the charity focused on its purpose.
  • Responsible for day-to-day management alongside the centre team.
  • Oversees corporate management, governance, policies and key decisions.
  • Acts as licence holder for the centre and supports safe event delivery.
  • Works on partnerships, funding, bookings, long-term planning and the general running of the building.

Vice Chair and Centre Manager

Christine Young

  • Supports the Chair and helps keep the centre running day to day.
  • Manages centre operations, room use, hirer support and practical arrangements.
  • Acts as Catering Manager for food-led sessions and centre events.
  • Organises events, helps shape bookings and keeps people pointed in the right direction.
  • Works closely with volunteers, groups, staff and trustees to keep the building welcoming and useful.

Trustee

Anne Sherriff

  • Supports legal, compliance and governance responsibilities.
  • Helps trustees consider policies, procedures and charity duties properly.
  • Brings scrutiny to risk, safeguarding, documentation and responsible decision-making.
  • Helps keep the centre accountable, well-run and aligned with its charitable purpose.

Trustee

John Young

  • Supports maintenance planning and practical building care.
  • Helps identify repairs, improvements and day-to-day site issues.
  • Works with the team on room setup, safety checks and keeping facilities usable.
  • Brings hands-on knowledge to decisions about the building and its future needs.

Trustee

Gareth Davies

  • Supports financial oversight and responsible planning.
  • Helps trustees understand budgets, costs, income and future pressures.
  • Contributes to long-term thinking so the centre can stay open and useful.
  • Brings a steady eye to sustainability, priorities and the decisions that affect the centre’s future.

Caretaker

Sammy Appleyard

  • Helps keep the building ready for groups, bookings and events.
  • Supports opening, closing, room setup and practical checks around the centre.
  • Keeps an eye on the condition of spaces and reports issues that need attention.
  • Plays a key part in making sure hirers arrive to rooms that are usable and welcoming.

Centre Cleaner

Pauline Lister

  • Keeps the centre clean, tidy and ready for public use.
  • Supports hygiene standards across rooms, toilets, shared areas and event spaces.
  • Helps the building feel cared for, welcoming and safe for regular groups and private hirers.
  • Works around a busy timetable so the centre can keep moving between sessions.

Bartender

Mel Thomas

  • Supports the Community Bar during events and centre nights.
  • Helps provide friendly bar service for parties, celebrations and community events.
  • Works within licensing requirements and keeps service practical, welcoming and well organised.
  • Helps make events feel hosted, relaxed and properly looked after.

What happens here

Meet, move, make, celebrate.

The centre supports regular community activities and one-off bookings, from quiet meetings to busy family parties. It also helps local people find groups, services and ways to get involved.

Room hire Regular activities Community Bar Library sessions

Get involved

Use the centre. Shape the centre.

01

Come along

Try a regular activity, visit a session or ask what is happening this week.

02

Book a room

Hire space for a party, meeting, class, club, celebration or support session.

03

Volunteer

Help with events, activities, practical tasks or ideas that benefit the village.

Talk to us

Ask about the centre.

Office hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 2pm.

info@denholmecc.co.uk 01274 924160

Main Road, Denholme, BD13 4BL