It is almost exactly 10 years since the colliery at Kiveton Park closed down. On that day 800 miners were left without work, many families were left without regular income and the future of the community itself was left very uncertain. Within months the whole colliery site was swept away except for two buildings that had been judiciously listed and saved for the nation. One was the Old Colliery Offices from where the mine had been managed. The other was the Pithead Baths, a massive 1930's structure. Neither had any immediate use and both were left vunerable and neglected - as was the village and its community.

Community pride and resolve however refused to let the village die. Working closely with Rotherham Council, local people and organisations with a local interest put a survival plan in place and exploited the natural advantages of being in a semi-rural enviroment, on the edge of South Yorkshire conurbation and close to major transport arteries. Land was released for new housing and industrial development, older housing was renovated, enviromental improvements took place, community facilities were improved and most of significantly, the community was given a stake in the future through the setting up of its own community-owned Development Trust. The Trust was registered as a company limited by gaurantee in 1997 and became a registered charity in 1999.

The Trust took occupancy of the Old Colliery Offices in 1997 and quickly began to make its mark. The offices themselves have developed as a busy community resourse and training centre. The Trust also provides a range of spaces that are let mainly to agencies who are serving the social welfare need of the local community.

The regeneration strategy is working. Many new people have come to live in the village whilst the majority of the mining families have remained. The rather rapid influx of newcomers has not been without its problems and the village has had to learn how to cope with change and a breakdown of the long traditional community-based lifestyle of a mining village. The Trust has played a vital part in managing this change and uniting the community around a new set of aspirations and ambitions.

Progress So Far
Progress has ben both rapid and significant. The Trust has managed to attract an array of grants which it has used to grow the organisation and deliver regeneration projects and services to the local community.

Over five years we have:

• Secured funding to establish the Old Colliery Offices as an asset base and headquaters for the Trust.
• Secured £130,000 ivestment from English Partnerships to re-furbish the Old Colliery Offices as a community resource centre..
• Successfully run the Old Colliery Offices as managed workspace providing offices for up to 10 tenants.
• Provide space in the Old Colliery Offices for the likes of I.T. Training, an elderly day care centre (NHS), Redroad Music.
• Secured £125,000 of grant funds.
• Carried out general enviromental improvements in the vicinity of the Old Colliery Offices.
• Provided assistance to other groups to help them find funding as well as sitting on other local steering groups/boards.
• Collabarated with other regeneration agencies. RMBC and Parish Councils to secure investment for for general improvements around the village.
• Fostered Partnership approaches to community development in Kiveton Park and Wales.
• Helped identify local needs through research and consultation.
• The Trust are continuing to liase with Yorkshire Forward over the future of the Pithead Baths wether it be demolision or restoration.
• Participated as a member of the steering group consultation on and drafting the 'Village Plan'.
• Created several waged posts and employed a nuber of local people.

The Trust has built up its strength, knowledge and expertise over the past five years, it is now planning ahead to deliver a forward programme that includes:

• A review of arrangements with Yorkshire Forward over the Old Colliery Offices that will result in the Trust taking Freehold ownership of the building in due course.
• The further development of the Training and community enterprise development programmes.
• A partnership to manage unique recreation opportunities that will serve more than local needs on the reclaimed Colliery site.
• Working in partnership with others to find a way to re-open the Chesterfield Canal and construct a marina at Kiveton Park.
• Regenertation projects and services within the villagesof Kiveton Park and Wales as part of the delivery of the Village Plan.
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