Over 120 people marked the official opening of the Howlands during a celebration event to recognise the remarkable transformation and refurbishment of our building.

Guests of honour included Dewsbury Labour MP Paula Sherriff,  the Deputy Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Gwen Lowe, and Barry Stephenson and Amanda Cunoosamy from the Big Lottery.

Pictured left-right Amanda Cunoosamy, Big Lottery; Deborah Hall, Howlands Manager; Barry Stephenson, Big Lottery; Kevin Keogh, HB Projects; Sam Cullingworth, Stakeholder; Tom Ellis (Howlands Chairman; Steve Voke, Voke Consltancy; Paula Sherriiff MP.

The £500,000 refurbishment has resulted in a fully functional and fit for purpose community building ready to welcome everyone of varying abilities looking to learn something new or simply make friends.

The building looks tremendous and it’s with thanks to the many people that have encouraged us with words, money, fundraising, and help.

Tom Ellis also said that he had heard of the regeneration in other parts of Dewsbury but he believed that the real regeneration in Dewsbury was happening in Howlands.

All the hard work for the grant had been completed by the local people of Dewsbury. They weren’t ordinary people,  they were very special people who had overcome their own varied abilities and difficulties to find the funds to make the refurbishment a success.

During our first day of business we received a surprise visit from Chris Clarke the Managing Director of HB Projects, the company that managed the whole project. We were very pleased to see him and to have the opportunity to let him know how delighted we all are with the high standard of work and the integrity HB Projects had in preserving many of the interesting aspects of our building whilst installing new facilities such as air conditioning, central heating, double glazing and black out blinds in the Community Room.