Newbridge Community Hub is an association of residents from Newbridge Ward. Bath, who regularly make use of Weston Methodist Church (WMC) for a wide range of activities which further the social wellbeing and interests of the people in Newbridge.  We learnt in February 2026 that the Methodist Church plan to sell the building.  Our objective is simply to save WMC from being sold to a developer for residential housing, and continue to run it and improve it ourselves as a community centre for the benefit of local residents.

 

WMC is already used extensively for a wide variety of community purposes, e.g. pre-school education, worship, yoga and pilates sessions, dance classes, ‘tigerlillies’ toddler group, brownies, rainbows, beaver-scouts, art fairs, children’s parties and music concerts.  It also serves as a polling station and venue for meetings for organisations such as the RUH and B&NES Council. 

These activities boost wellbeing and social cohesion in Newbridge.  At least 250 local residents of all ages benefit from weekly events.  Many more attend annual or occasional events.

The positive impact on the local community’s physical and mental health and wellbeing is self-evident. Many who attend activities travel there on foot or by bicycle. 

Many activities are supported by volunteers. Examples are Beaver Scouts, which is run by four volunteer adult leaders and supported by four volunteer Young Leaders (aged 14–18, who join as part of their  Duke of Edinburgh awards), Rainbows, Brownies and Tigerlillies. The annual arts and crafts fairs are run entirely by volunteers.

The church buildings are accessible by people of all ages and physical abilities.  There are wheelchair ramps and a lift between the two floors. 

Organisers and attendees come from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and from all age ranges.  Most organisers live in the Newbridge community.  Further details are shown in the attached documents and include testimonials.

If the asset were no longer available, this would have severe negative consequences for the local community.  WMC is the only community hall in the Newbridge area which is suitable for the diverse activities which it hosts today.  Other buildings are either not available at the times required, or located further from the community.  The current users would be forced to travel much greater distances either by private car or public transport.