From Dilapidation to Re-opening 1992 to 2006

In 1996 the private trust purchased the former school and grounds for £45,000. There was a Deed of Option for the Council to re-possess after 5 years if nothing was done with the building. Land Registry covenants and planning permissions insisted on the central hall being for community use and the two ends of the building being residential. The private trust was happy to agree to anything that would help save the building, so work began at once.
The Fielden School of Art Association was renamed the Fielden Centre Association, a company limited by guarantee and a charity with the aim of bringing the main hall into full community use. The complex was thereafter to be known as the Fielden Centre.

In order to eradicate dry rot, timbers had to be replaced, the saturated lath and plaster removed, chimneys needed urgent attention, and broken rainwater down-pipes had to be repaired to allow the wet stone walls to dry out. That meant a great deal of expensive re-leading on the roof and pipes being replaced to prevent rain saturating the walls if they became blocked in future.

Outside, the Portakabin was demolished and the Ewood Lane wall moved to accommodate an essential footpath on Ewood Lane. Once a new wall was constructed (which was not an easy undertaking!), and a ramp surfaced, vehicles could be driven in for the first time.