The Pennoyer Centre

The Pennoyer Centre

01379 676660

Community, heritage & education centre in a restored Victorian School & 15th Century Guild Chapel

The Pennoyer Centre has 3 charitable objects: education, social/recreational & heritage preservation. The Centre opens 6 days a week providing a facility where people can meet to exercise, learn or simply socialise. We have a lovely cafe and also free superfast Wifi. We stage various events every month to promote social cohesion and combat loneliness, ensuring that people can participate fully in a vibrant 21st century community. The centre is fully accessible for all.

Why the community needs us
Pennoyer's provides a central hub in the community where people in the local area can congregate and socialise. It's a multi-purpose building running a community cafe which can operate undisturbed while other community activities, e.g. Pilates, book group, PC Help club, Meet Up Mondays, knit & natter, monthly lunch club are taking place in other rooms. The Café is the life-blood of the building and ensures that Centre maintains a welcoming community hub.

Our impact on the community
For many people in the village and in the surrounding area, Pennoyer's has transformed their lives. They have made new friends, found new interests, learned new skills and gained confidence. We have also created employment, with 13 local people working part time in the Centre, alongside about 40 volunteers.

Our history
The Centre opened in 2010 after a community-led project to raise the £1.6m required, and to manage the project to restore and extend the then derelict building in the centre of our village. .
As well as creating lots of opportunities for people to come together, we have a small museum which covers the history of the area, including Royal Naval Air Station Pulham, where giant airships were based in World War I. Our volunteers help to catalogue our collection and stage heritage events.

Volunteers needed

COVID-19 supervisory roles plus reception, help at events, gardening, baking cakes, general support

What your gift could provide

£10

pay for a month's PRS license to allow community groups to play music

£20

maintenance of the fire alarm system for one month

£100

heating bills for one week

Fundraise for us!

Charity Information

Telephone: 01379 676660

Address: Station Road, Pulham St Mary, Diss Norfolk IP21 4QT

Registered charity no.: 1135788