Matterdale Community Association (MCA) is winding up. 

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MCA was established by Keith Clark in 2013 with the aim of running and managing a community centre in Matterdale Valley to provide leisure, social, sporting and educational activities. The decision by Matterdale Parish Council on 5th January 2026 not to proceed with the building of the proposed replacement Community Centre in Matterdale Valley, therefore means that MCA is no longer able to fulfil its charitable objects in a way that reflects the will of the community it was created to serve. 

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As required by charity regulations, MCA held a General Meeting of its members on 24 February 2026, at which the members attending voted unanimously to support the following resolution: 

“ to resolve to wind up and dissolve the Matterdale Community Association and to donate any remaining assets to the Friends of Matterdale Church to support the refurbishment of the Church Meeting Room for community activities.” 

The trustees chose the Friends of Matterdale Church to be the beneficiary of the remaining assets (approximately £500) as an “excepted charity” which has similar aims to MCA in providing community activities for the benefit of Matterdale Church parish. 

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The trustees will now follow the winding up process in accordance with charity law and its governing document, including ceasing any charitable actions, which means MCA will not organise any further events or activities. ​The trustees are saddened by this course of events but are unanimous in their view that it is the right way to proceed. Since 2016, we have been running events and organising activities in the valley, starting with the marquee in the grounds of The Royal Hotel. We have hosted dances, ceilidhs, pop-up restaurants, musical events, Summer Days on the recreation field, bake-offs, badminton, keep fit, pub quizzes, nature group, oral history project, beetle drives, and many, many more. We would like to thank everyone in the community who supported us, came to the events and activities, enjoyed themselves and met up with their friends and neighbours. 

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Matterdale Community Association Trustees.

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