The Washburn Heritage Centre

• opened for use in February 2011 and is a wonderful place to visit. Attached to Fewston Church and in the beautiful Washburn Valley, the centre and the church is home to permanent and temporary exhibitions. Here, the visitor can discover more about an area touched by many aspects of British history and blessed with beautiful landscapes.

• is open to the public for refreshments at the weekends and a programme of events takes place regularly on weekdays and weekends.

The centre and tea room is open: Sundays and bank holidays during the winter 11am – 4pm Weekends and bank holidays during the summer 11am – 4.30pm Catering is done 'inhouse' with plenty of home-made food and the menu is linked to different key dates such as Epiphany Sunday and Burns Night. During the week throughout the year the Centre is available for bookings.

• has a varied event programme including temporary exhibitions, expert talks, walks, family events and workshops. The Washburn Society arranges and promotes the events. Members pay £10 per annum, get priority booking and ticket discounts for events and are also invited to four free members-only events each year. For details of special events or to book the centre for a group go to the Centre website or make your enquiries to the Heritage Development Officer Anne Wigglesworth - centre@washburnvalley.org
  
  
• had its official opening on 23rd June 2011. It was a splendid occasion, attended by many local people, representatives of the organisations who supported the Centre's development, and those who had designed and built it.Gary Verity, Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire and Humber Committee, gave an excellent address, and the ribbons across the entrance to the Centre were cut by 5 very special guests who have cherished the Washburn Valley over their lifetimes.They were Shelagh Harrison, Mary Houseman, Walker Barrett, Keith Liddle and Owen Wood, each of whom was presented with a small gift by the Mayor of Harrogate.

Why? The Washburn Heritage Centre was developed by Fewston with Blubberhouses Parochial Church Council at Fewston Church to preserve and promote the unique heritage of the Washburn Valley. Building on the central role which the church has always played in the community, it benefits both local people and the many visitors to the area.

What? The Heritage Centre is a wonderful, light modern room attached to Fewston Church with changing displays, information about local walks, and a programme of events including concerts, special exhibitions, adult learning classes, open for teas at the weekends and bank holidays. Fewston Church is open daily with permanent exhibitions about the church, the reservoirs and the Washburn Valley.