Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Nexus Methodist Church in Bath

has a smaller institution in Eastbourne Avenue, Fairfield Park, BA1 6EN.

When three of us rescued the Larkhall Art Trail event this time last year the Nexus church was keen to get on board and act as a hub for artists’ work.

The Claremont Community Centre, no longer Claremont Nexus Church, had been a space for play groups and a prayer room and other events but less so an art gallery.

Now it’s hosting a year-round art event. David Ringsell had his own show up until mid-October. From now until January more artists’ work is on show: Ruth Davies, Joanna Cacanas, Pam Jones, Niall Briggs ( the curator and Nexus pioneer worker), Dominique Coiffaitt, David Ringsell, Liz Carson and my husband - Richard Olver.

We had a private view two Fridays ago and the cafe has been open since. This Saturday a group of us are selling pre-Christmas goodies at an early Christmas craft fair. That’s on November 9th from 10:30 am to 4 pm. 

I do hope the Claremont Centre takes off as a community hub. I sense more volunteers are needed to operate the tills and serve lunches say on Tuesdays, Fridays and every Saturday rather than just on an occasional basis. It’s such a good light, bright location and Niall is impressive with his hands-on, can-do approach. 

But if we want a community space to serve our community we have to serve it, otherwise I fear it won’t survive. Our local is threatened with being knocked down to make way for new builds. Now is the time to foster local amenities. 

As they say ‘once they’re gone, they’re gone’