Sudbury’s Christopher Centre set to celebrate 30th anniversary as a community asset with an open day
A historic Sudbury venue is celebrating three decades as one of the town’s main community facilities, as the managers emphasised its continued importance to the town.
The Christopher Centre, in Gainsborough Street, will mark the 30th anniversary of its official opening on October 19, with an open event to show all it has to offer.
From 3pm, the venue’s co-ordinators, trustees and volunteers will be on hand to welcome visitors, show them around and highlight the groups and classes it hosts.
Since being established as a community hub in 1994, the centre has become home to a broad spectrum of activities, both in-house and from outside organisations.
The regular activities include art groups, music classes and exercise sessions, as well as various support and social wellbeing meetings.
Kathy Lee-Rimmer – one of two centre co-ordinators, alongside Linda Adams – said: “We are proud to extend a warm welcome to those wishing to visit and find out more about the centre.
“We will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and show you around, as will our trustees and volunteers.
“It is vitally important that Sudbury, as a community, has access to this unique centre.
“The regular groups available provide warmth, friendship and a safe space to come together.
“These groups range from the Monday drop-in to chair yoga, menopause support and community singing, to name but a few.”
The history of the Christopher Centre dates back to the 18th century and it was owned at one time by Henry and Mary Burroughs, grandparents of famed Sudbury-born artist Thomas Gainsborough.
The Grade II-listed site then became a pub called The Christopher Inn – the origin of its current name – and later came into the ownership of Suffolk-based brewery Greene King.
In 1992, the pub giant sold the building to the Sudbury Common Lands Charity, which then carried out a renovation and leased the site to Sudbury Volunteer Centre the following year.
This paved the way for its current identity as the Christopher Centre, which has since become a registered charity.
In addition to the regular groups and classes, the venue also hosts Sudbury Community Depot, which maintains a store of furniture and household items to support those in need.
The open event on October 19 will include a book signing with author Miriam Toosey, who will be signing copies of her second murder mystery novel, The Pigeon House.
On the same day, Esquires Coffee, on Market Hill, will host a pop-up fund-raiser with Trims By Aubs, with proceeds going towards the Christopher Centre.
This event will include free haircuts, music and a selfie booth.
