PART of The Old Courthouse at Shap has undergone a renovation which has seen the building become home to a new reception area and gallery.

Members of Shap Community CIO, grant funders, volunteers, user groups, representatives of Cumbria County Council and Eden District Council Community Services and supporters of the project gathered to open the area.

This has been created by opening up a large storeroom at the centre of the building.

Funding for the project came from: Awards for All, Big Lottery Fund, Cumbria Community Foundation, Cumbria County Council, Eden District Council Community Fund, Frieda Scott Charitable Trust, Holehird Trust, Shap Community Enterprise (Second Chance) and Ullswater Grassroots Grants Fund

Trustee, Janet Wood, thanked funders and everyone involved with the project for making it possible.

Linda Newton, former librarian at Shap, thanked the group for their hard work in making her vision regarding the space come to fruition and cut a ribbon to signify the opening of the area.

A Community Art & Craft exhibition was staged to coincide with the opening featuring work produced by local individuals and groups of all ages including Shap Playgroup, Shap School, Shap Youth Club, The OC Craft group, OC Poetry Group and Wasdale Craft Group.

In conjunction with Shap Local History Society there was also a display of images and items relating to the A6 over Shap Fell including the Leyland Clock on loan from the History Society.