Chinley Community Association

Case Study: Chinley

Chinley, in the High Peak of Derbyshire is buzzing with new activities and events thanks to the efforts of a group of local volunteers.

In 2004, the Parish Council recruited a group to consult on and develop a Plan for the Parish.  The volunteers held a series of community consultation events, and put together a plan and DVD which told the story of where people wanted to see improvements.

In some areas, Parish Plans sit on a shelf somewhere, and gather dust- but not here. The working groups have not only produced the plan, but are making good progress on delivering the wishes of those that took part.

Chinley, Buxworth and Brownside Community Association was born out of the group that took on the community and leisure aspect of the Parish Plan. They developed a Business Plan, took on running the Community Centre from Derbyshire County Council, and set about fundraising and organizing new groups and activities.

Since 2004, they have raised over £100 000 which has contributed to the plan to drain the football pitches, renovated the community centre, raised money to drain the football pitches, started a Community Cinema and a community swimming programme at Peak School. It has funded the development of a whole host of clubs and activities.

The programme of activities in the Parish is lengthy. Since the Parish Plan, the area has a netball club with three teams competing in the local league, as well as many recreational players and a new junior section. There’s  an over 35’s football club that has brought a dozen or solapsed players back to the sport. They have recently entered the local leisure centre league. The running group has a mix of beginners, road runners, fell runners and a mum’s group that shares childcare while people get out for a run.

There are thriving pilates classes, a summer fete complete with Fell Race; football tournament and dog show. A series of outdoor pursuits days has taken place, and there are ideas coming thick and fast for other events.

Community Association volunteer Hayley Lever says that she never imagined the energy and enthusiasm that would come after the Parish Plan. “The Community Association Committee are a dynamic lot, and are drawing in new volunteers all the time. It’s a real joy to see people taking part in all the activities on offer, and getting involved. It’s snowballing all the time. People are now coming forward from the community – people who haven’t been involved before, but are enjoying the activities on offer. They’re suggesting new things, and most importantly are prepared to get involved and organize them!”

In terms of sports participation, there is no question that people are more active in the village than they were four years ago. A recent conversation in a pub prompted a comment by one resident that it was finally time to get up and join in. She felt that where as in the past people had met for a coffee or a drink in their spare time, they were now meeting with more active pursuits in mind- she needed to join in with the people who are out running, playing netball and getting fit again.

Full details of what’s going on in Chinley can be found at www.chinleyca.org.uk