The OSR is a Grade 2 listed building, built in 1828 by the community for a village school on land donated by St Andrews Church. It is amazing to see the exposed roof rafters that seem to have been constructed from random pieces of wood of differing sizes and thicknesses, as if timber was picked from various sources and put together somewhat haphazardly, but it has lasted almost 200 years.

Over the years it was replaced by the present Curry Rivel Primary School for the village children's education. Thereafter it became a community facility to be used by the village. It was available to all the community irrespective of financial situation, race, religion, gender, age or ability. Past users include Music club, cubs, scouts, guides, political groups, children's parties, wedding receptions, sports activities, old folks teas, mother and babies and many more. Future users will be some or all of these, plus ICT clubs, craft and art groups, Age Concern, Somerset skills, and introduce any other requirement in line with community needs.

The OSR is run by a volunteer management committee, comprising members of the Parochial Church Council [PCC] of St Andrews and of the community at large. The committee are responsible for the administration of the OSR. Costs for hire are kept as low as is needed to maintain the facility. At present the committee are totally focused on raising enough money to restore the OSR back to its origins of 1828. This is a huge task.

In 2005 the OSR was closed on health and safety grounds. Since then fund raising has taken place for restoration . Architects, Beech Tyldesley in Wells, have been engaged to oversee the restoration, draw up plans, get tenders from interested contractors. A contractor has now been selected. This process is ongoing in 2010/11. Funds of £38,000 have been raised to date, but considerably more money is needed for the whole project, in the region of £122,000. Various charities, local and national grants sources, individuals, donations, fund raising activities have and still are being approached or undertaken to raise the necessary funding.

Because the OSR is a Grade 2 listed building the Heritage authorities have requested that it is restored back to its original condition . This makes the project more expensive but the OSR committee understand the desire to maintain its heritage value for the community.

During the Autumn of 2010 work will commence to make the OSR weatherproof. As more funds are raised then the complete restoration will be undertaken. It is very important that we have as much financial support as possible, Curry Rivel should take a pride in our historical OSR , as all too often these old relics are allowed to disappear. If you can help please contact any member of the committee personally or through the St Andrews Church. The OSR committee very much appreciate the help that we have received from many people.
The Committee. Presently the volunteer committee comprises:
Reverend Jenny Langdown
Peggy Richards [01458 251278, mob 07531941145]
Barry & Sheila White [01458 251006]
Tina Geary [01458 259003]
John Hough[01458 253470]
Colin Graves [01458 251080]
Meetings are held monthly. At present the main subject is fund raising. Please contact any of the above if you wish to know more, or if you would like to see inside the OSR and get a feel for the magnitude of the challenge. Any ideas that you may have are very welcome.

The Project. There are several stages to the renovation.
To reopen the building the roof timbers, roof tiling, walls, ceiling, windows, electrics, all need to be rectified. [£70,000]

Thereafter, toilets, disabled toilets and access, kitchen, storage, redecoration, flooring, lighting, heating and plumbing.[ £ 50,000]

Subsequently new furnishings, ICT wireless facilities, conference equipment would make a huge difference to what the OSR could offer.[ not costed yet].

It would be preferable to raise all the money and then the contractors could work efficiently on the project, however the money needed for the whole restoration is not available at present. Nevertheless, there is a need to get the building weatherproofed and for the villagers to see that the restoration project is happening, so work will commence in the near future.
Fund Raising. The following have been approached for grants;
The Big Lottery
John Paul Getty Jnr
Tudor Trust
Fund For Growth
Sir John Madjeski
The Pilgrim Trust
Hedley Foundation
Historic Buildings Scheme
Les Collett South SomersetDistrict Council.
Andrew Rainsford, Diocese Bath and Wells

To date little has been forthcoming from these charities, albeit 3 of the above still have our request in their waiting list and there is some optimism that some monies should be available shortly . Further approaches to other charitable funds are in process by the OSR committee.
Various activities throughout the village and local area has raised money. These include donations, coffee mornings, stall sales, garden parties, donations, buy a tile, plant sales, village fetes, garden parties.
An excellent total of £ 38,000 has been raised so far . Some of that has been spent on fees, contractors, essential plumbing repairs, investigation of work needed. There is a long way to go, but we are optimistic that despite the economic downturn, the objective will be achieved.
If anybody is aware of possible sources of funding or wishes to make a donation, please contact any of the OSR committee.

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