MORE activities for young people are set to come to Highcliffe, with the renovation of the Old School House building.

Highcliffe Residents’ Association recently took over the building, which houses the Rainbow Nursery, and is aiming to introduce a host of classes and attractions for youngsters in the village.

Pilates, judo, computer sessions and even upholstery courses run by Brockenhurst College are set to take place at the venue in the coming months.

The association also took on the adjoining caretaker’s cottage and has taken out a £50,000 loan to refurbish that building and rent it out in order to raise funds to maintain the Old School House.

An additional £10,000 was raised by donations from the local community which has been spent repairing one of the dilapidated walls and the boiler.

John Mather, chairman of Highcliffe Residents’ Association, said: “We think we will have the cottage up for rent in about May next year.

“It’s going to be put on the commercial market for renting.

“Once we get that on the market the income from that will pay off the loan and also give us a bit of money in the pot for the upkeep of the building next door.

“On top of that we are extending community activities in the old school building, aimed at the younger people in the village.

“We don’t feel there are sufficient things for the youngsters in the village to do, so we really need to get that up and running.”

Mr Mather added that the local community had been a great support so far, but that there was still a long road ahead of them.

“We’ve had leaks in the roof as well so we will need large sums of money.

“It’s not all plain sailing. I would like to thank the community for their support and their financial support.

“However, the job is only half done.”