I am delighted to confirm that following intensive work over a long period, a suitable buyer has been found for the miners welfare, the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA). The WEA are an education charity that is committed to the welfare remaining a community asset, for use by the community, and will work in collaboration with Friends of Brodsworth and the wider Woodlands community.

I am able to report this news because the charity CISWO has given their written authorisation to consent to the sale, agreed between the trustees and the WEA.

It has been a long and difficult road to find a suitable buyer and ensure the sale can happen. I am grateful to the friends of Brodsworth for their determination, the welfare trustees for their patience and willingness to work together, local Labour councillors Sarah Smith, Debbie Hutchinson and John Mounsey for their hard work and support, Mayor Ros Jones and local authority officers, and the Coalfield Regeneration Trust. In addition, I’m very grateful to the WEA for their willingness to believe in and support our community.

The next step is to complete the sale, and begin the release of funds from the levelling up bid to repair the building.

WEA will be saying more and engaging with the community after the completion of the sale.

I am very pleased that we can now move forward and 100 years after its construction, we can hopefully work together for the rebirth of the miners welfare.