The Hub, a registered charity originally named the Fernhurst Centre, was established in 2003 with support from Chichester District Council and is largely run by volunteers. Its mission is to offer a social, leisure and educational meeting space for all and it soon became a focus for local information and village initiatives. It has benefitted over the years from generous grants given by local organisations and clubs, from individual donations and legacies and the hard work of a wonderful team of volunteers.

How times change! In 2003, far from every household had a computer, mobile phones were for the tech savvy only and tablets were a twinkle in Steve Jobs’ eye. As a result, the Hub’s IT courses were an instant success and over the years craft workshops, languages and an eclectic mixture of new courses have been added, as this website will attest. However, the Hub won’t rest on its laurels and is always on the lookout for the next opportunity, topic of public interest or popular activity.

In the early days, a kettle and a jar of instant coffee was all that was on offer but it soon became obvious that the Hub (or Centre as it was then) was in demand as a place for friends to get together and mums and toddlers to congregate before the school pick up. A major refurbishment in 2016 included the purchase of a high spec bean-to-cup coffee machine and expansion of the café which has since been further enhanced by the card and gifts shop section. The Hub is now a busy meeting place for people of all ages and has earned a reputation for being the place to be in the heart of the village.

Without doubt, it is the volunteer team that gives the Hub its special atmosphere and has built it up into the village gem it is today. The receipt of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020 was a fitting tribute to the many hours given by people wanting to give something back. During the pandemic weeks of 2020 and 2021, the Hub provided information and support to Fernhurst residents and, once permitted, a welcome safe space where people could meet again face to face. As the Chair of the Queen’s Award, Sir Martyn Lewis said:

“There is no finer example of democracy in action than people getting together at a local level to tackle a problem or issue at the heart of their community.”