New oak doors installed for historic Old Bluecoat School in Thatcham

A £10,000 refurbishment of a historic Thatcham building has been completed.

A fundraiser to replace the timber front doors of The Old Bluecoat School started last year after the charity responsible for maintaining the Grade-I listed building said the doors had become old, warped and no longer energy efficient.

But after receiving some generous donations and contracting local businesses, work to replace the doors with English oak went ahead.

Gaps around the frame were also filled with lime mortar, funded from the contingency amount.

And an additional £3,000 donation helped to replace the carpet for the whole building.

“We have successfully delivered all our aims and objectives in respect of the door replacement and at the same time made further enhancements to the internal décor,” said trustee Nick Symes.

“As we are still in the transition between summer and autumn, it is too early to assess the improvements to the draughts and heating, but hirer feedback has been very positive on the completed work.”

Since completing the work, two new fitness groups have requested to hire the hall, the charity added.

Mr Symes added: “The one indirect benefit is the improvement to the appearance of the front of the building, which is seen by all those who travel past along the A4 towards Reading.

“We have, of course, helped preserve this building for the future generations with a door that will last a significant number of years.”

The overall project came within the £10,000 budget, helped by a significant amount of the decorating work being undertaken by the trustees themselves.

The Old Bluecoat School was once a school for poor boys, and before that a chapel.

The Thatcham Old Bluecoat School Charity was formed in 2004 to save the building from being sold at auction.

Ownership of the building was transferred to Thatcham Town Council the same year.

The aims of the charity are to maintain and preserve the 700-year-old building for community use including education, leisure and recreation.