Projects
Please see below just some of the successful projects we have been involved with:
Highworth Community Centre
Following the unfortunate closure of Northview primary school, the residents of Highworth invited Highworth Community Partnership Group (HCPG) to investigate the possibility of opening a community centre. After much hard work by a small but dedicated team of Highworth residents and long negotiations with Swindon Borough Council the Highworth Community Centre was formally opened by Justin Tomlinson MP for North Swindon and Councillor Ray Ballman, Mayor of Swindon in June 2011. Since that time, the centre has grown from strength to strength and continues to offer an amazing variety of venues for the people of our town including parties, meetings, wedding receptions and much more.
We are also proud to be the location of the Highworth Historical Society History Room and Archive storage and host historical open days on a regular basis.
The Centre is wholly run by volunteers and is managed by a team of five trustees.
As well as the hall and 7 rooms for hire the centre boasts a sizeable field, woodland area and a pond, making it Highworth’s premier site for every type of event.
Everyone is welcome to use the Centre and we are always seeking volunteers to help us to expand our activities to cover all ages and all groups throughout the day. If you have a bright idea or if you would just like to help, then do not hesitate to contact us.
Website link: www.highworthcommunitycentre.co.uk
Fox Roundabout
One of the first projects to come to fruition was the installation in 2019, of the sculpture on the Fox roundabout after a nearly 10 year wait. The Fox was created by Pete Pullon and the plinth of cotswold stone was supplied by Murford Quarry. HCPG orignally thought this project would be a ‘quick fix’ in improving the entrance to our town. But although the project was hit by many delays it now sits proudly on what was once one of the most ‘boring’ roundabouts in the borough.
Safe Places
HCPG sponsored Safe Places when it was launched in Highworth in 2017.
Safe Places is a national scheme which supports vulnerable people whilst they are out and about in their local community. Within Highworth a Safe Place is somewhere that provides this service to anyone who feels lost, vulnerable or unwell when out in the Highworth community.
Key businesses and organisations, mostly in the Highworth Town Centre and around Newburgh Place, who are part of the scheme will display a Safe Places sticker in their window(s).
Our Safe Places scheme also distributes to known vulnerable individuals and groups in the Community; In Case of Emergency cards , commonly called ICE cards, which people can show to the Safe Place scheme premises member to assist them in getting the support that they require.
When a person uses a Safe Place they will be; Listened to, Reassured, Supported and Offered time and a safe place to wait.
The Safe Places scheme in Highworth is co-ordinated by Ian Webb , Volunteer Manager, who can be contacted on 01793 762853 or email ianwebb1948@hotmail.co.uk
Visit Highworth
The concept of a Visitor Centre to increase tourism to our town began as an idea many years ago. In 2018 the former Lloyds Bank building was up for grabs to lease, so a small team of dedicated community volunteers from Highworth Community Partnership Group started the process to get the project off the ground.
Investment from the local community and businesses to buy shares and funding sought from local charities has enabled this project to progress. Visit Highworth is owned wholly by shareholders.
Visit Highworth successfully opened its door on the 21st September 2019 and is run by a Manager and a few willing volunteers.
Website link : visithighworth.co.uk
Village Green
In 2010, local campaigners, working closely with Highworth Community Partnership Group successfully applied to the local authority to have the land at Barra Close, Highworth registered as a village green. By registering the land as a green they secured their rights to enjoy the land for informal recreation, and ensured the land cannot be developed.
The May Day Market
The first May Day event in 2010 was a joint venture between Highworth Community Partnership Group and Highworth Historical Society. Since that time this annual event has grown from strength to strength and is now considered to be Highworth’s premier free outdoor family festival.