2000s
2000 – 2001
We have put these two years together because on 2001 whilst we were heading for another record income from booking fees we were seriously affected by the “foot and month” epidemic, which saw the Lodge and Cottage, closed for almost eight months resulting in a combined loss of income of some £12,000.
Never the less we were able to make substantial progress in additional facilities and refurbishment thanks to the generosity of other organisations in cash grants or gifts in kind.
A new extension to the Educational Activity unit was built following a grant of £10,000 from the Kirklees and Mirfield Councils “Partnership Fund” The Lodge dinning rooms were completely renovated and refurbished, once again thanks to a generous grant, this time for £7,500 from the “Community Affairs Section” of Barclays Bank.
Michael and Jackie Burrows, a Mirfield business couple, provided goods including: 40 new mattresses for the Lodge and new seating for the lounges, cottage and some of the bedrooms along with material which was used to makenew mattress covers, curtains for the ground floor windows and a variety of cushions .
Much “human resource” has been provided for these projects in a “stakeholder partnership” with Mirfield Day Centre, 1st Mirfield Scouts and parents along with our own volunteers.
2002
The 2nd of June saw the 30th Birthday of the t Gearstones Trust .
With help from Mirfield Day Centre both of the lounges were been redecorated.
On the 9th of June Gearstones held an Open Day, this event was well received and attended, after an informal opening by the Mayor invited guest were shown round the premises to see the improvements to the Lodge and its facilities
The Mirfield Community Trust (designate) was setup with members of the Lodge Management Committee taking a leading role in the development of this project.
2003
The partnership with Mirfield Day Centre continued to pay dividends and along with funding generously awarded by United CO-OP Charitable Trust (£7,500), helping with refurbishment of the cellar area and Whernside bedroom. A number of windows were also replaced along with the completion of the indoor climbing wall.
2004
Tremendous progress was made with the bedroom refurbishments thanks to the chairman and Mirfield Day Centre.
A new septic tank was installed involving some very hard work and a lot of personnel expense.
The first phase of a three-year funding application was received from Awards for All; allowing Gearstones to train its own instructors in outdoor pursuit activities.
2005
2005 saw the refurbishment of another bedroom and the general refurbishment of the cottage taking place with the chairman and Mirfield Day Centre again doing most of the work in the lodge and J Burrows and her team working on the cottage The climbing wall unfortunately went out of commissioned due to funding (mainly insurance).
Further work was carried out on the septic tank, to help complete the installation.
Several long standing committee members decided to stand down this year but two new members joined the Management Committee and delivered encouraging contributions to the trust.
2006
Once again tremendous progress was made with the refurbishment of another 2 bedrooms thanks to continuing assistance from Mirfield Day Centre. The long running septic tank replacement project was finally been completed with all required certification coming through.
The ground have also been landscaped providing lawn mower access to all grassed areas a along with the planting of bulbs and shrubs.
The Trustee and Management Committee stabilised and booking continued to remain strong for both the Cottage and Lodge.
2007
In 2007 we made further progress with the refurbishment of another bedroom with continuing assistance from Mirfield Day Centre – (Pathway).
The grounds have again been improved with improvements to the lawn and more bulbs and shrubs have been planted.
2008
In 2008 we have made further progress with the refurbishment of another 3 bedrooms – only one remaining to be refurbished) with continuing assistance from Mirfield Day Centre – (Pathway).
The Trust goes from strength to strength and the results of our many success can now clearly be seen in the building and facilities available to our clients.
