Since Covid we have become more aware of our mental health needs. It is important that there is a place for people in a remote rural location to come and meet others, talk at a cafe or pop-up shop, join in a keep-fit or yoga class and just have the opportunity to connect with other people.

We want our community barn space as a hub for a range of regular events such as coffee mornings run by volunteers, arts classes, small performances (through local supportive organisations such as Theatrefest and Beaford Arts based in in Barnstaple).

It could function as a venue for local and county councillors to hold one to one clinics with locals, and a Farming Outreach Service as well as more sociable seasonal events such as Christmas and Halloween parties.

Our community space would be a huge benefit for local and visiting children and for adults. We envisage a space where adults and children could enhance their learning.

Given the recent cessation of the Devon C.C. mobile library service, the new space could house a small community library.

We would like to welcome:

• Infant and toddler groups
• Craft workshops
• Cinema/big screen experiences
• Guest speakers invited by the community
• Special group meetings for local communities

The people of Arlington would be the primary benefactors of this project. They would gain a precious resource enabling them to function as a community for the first time in 40 years.

There is nowhere currently to meet neighbours in the parish; no cafe, no pub, no church hall. When the first meeting was held to discuss this project (held in a cowshed as there is no other place to meet), it was the first time most of us had ever seen the other residents of Arlington.

Our new community space could also host visitors attracted to this wonderful rural area of North Devon: schools groups, holiday makers, Arlington Court visitors.

Arlington Court (National Trust) attracts a high number of visitors every year to the area and they would, with encouragement bring additional footfall to our community barn and possibly income through the pop-up cafe and shop.

This space will also help to establish a stronger bond between the National Trust and the community; something which seems to have drifted over previous years.

We’d like to create something more that just a village hall. Our ambition is to play a leading role in the plans to redevelop the entire redundant Home Farm site. Our building, on the prominent entrance to the site, would be made attractive to outlying small businesses who need decent speed broadband and a space to rent for business meetings. The proposed meeting room would also become the permanent venue for Arlington Parish Council.

During the conversion of the barn, we will add new members to our team to plan a series of events at the completed venue. By using our links with the arts community, we will hold regular performances and exhibitions which will be attractive to the wider population of North Devon as well as our local community. This will raise the status of our building and earn valuable income.