A WEST Cumbrian community centre has 'gone from strength to strength' since it reopened two years ago. 

The Red Lonning Community Centre, at Hensingham, Whitehaven, is proving more popular than ever. 

The centre is in the housing suburb to the east of Whitehaven and has begun to offer a variety of events to those living in the general Hensingham area. 

The team of volunteers work tirelessly to offer services which are hoped to bring the community closer together. 

In 2021, it seemed it was the end of the road for the site as Rascals Nursery, who occupied the building, began to shut its doors. 

But with the help of the community and some much-needed funding, the building has been turned into a thriving community venue. 

Allan Forster, a volunteer at Red Lonning Community Centre, said: "We've got a new lease at the community centre, and it is going from strength to strength. 

"We have just been awarded National Lottery funding of £14,000 to refurbish the place. 

"We've got plenty of activities on, once a month we get a speaker to come along and do a talk on a variety of topics including the history of Whitehaven.

"Once a month we'll be running a cafe, as we have just got a food hygiene rating of 5. 

"The lady who provides food just lives across the road and runs her own business called Jackie's Bakes which is going really well. 

"We've got a variety of activities going on the centre including chair exercises, financial from the Active Community Copeland Fund, we also have a popular toddler group for young children and their parents. 

"We've got around ten volunteers here now, so we seem to be getting even more popular. 

"The community centre has been reopening for about two years, and in the next couple of weeks, we'll be discussing the new lease. 

"If anyone wants to volunteer, they are welcome to come along. We have plenty of exercises like an art class on a Monday, and wreath making which will be free of charge due to support from the Cumberland Council."

Allan and the rest of the volunteers hope that they will be able to grow the centre further and start to offer more classes.