History of Fenton's

Fenton's - what's in the name?

The Parish Council was delighted to adopt the popular suggestion that the village’s new community centre be named after the late Raymond Fenton. For all those who knew Raymond, and his selfless generosity and warmth, his name reflects the essence of any community. We hope it will connect the past to the future, and welcome future generations to join the spirit of South Cerney. The official name of the building is The Raymond Fenton Centre.

Read more here about Raymond Fenton

Design and Construction

Fenton’s was funded by Redrow Homes, as one of the conditions of the planning permission for the houses built on the remainder of the former CAMAS/ Aggregate Industries site.

Under the planning agreement with the Parish Council, Fenton’s is to be used as a ‘youth and community centre’ for the residents of South Cerney. It is subject to restrictive covenants, imposed by Redrow. It may only be open to the public between 8am and 11pm, and the sale or consumption of alcohol is restricted to a limited number of events each year. The floor area of the building was also restricted to 400 square metres.

In 2012, South Cerney Parish Council recruited a subcommittee to undertake the design and construction of the new facility. After obtaining professional advice, and a process of shortlisting and interviews, White Design of Bristol were appointed as the project architects.

The Parish Council committee briefed White Design to produce a contemporary and sustainable building that would complement, rather than compete with South Cerney’s Village Hall. White Design then conducted public consultation events, to help shape the design of the building, and the facilities within it. That consultation process has resulted in a main hall with a sprung wooden floor for indoor sports and other active classes, the café ‘social space’, and the central ‘group room’ for smaller meetings and activities.

White Design then produced a high quality, contemporary design combining traditional and modern materials, and using sustainable design principles. The timber structure is clad in natural Cotswold stone and timber, with aluminium-clad timber windows.

These are the building’s sustainable design elements:

The orientation of the building helps to reduce overheating from the sun.

The main hall has natural ventilation from two ‘wind catchers’ in the roof, and the café area also has natural ventilation from high level windows.

The large high windows maximise natural daylight.

Sustainable timber used throughout the building, with a ‘glulam’ structural frame (comprising glue-laminated sections of small timber which are very strong, and efficient in the use of timber) and internal walls made of ‘CLT’ cross-laminated timber panels.

High levels of insulation throughout the building, to keep it warmer in winter and cooler in the summer.

Photovoltaic panels on the flat roof of the main hall, to generate electricity used in the building, and to export it to the grid when not used in the building.

LED lighting in the café which dims automatically to adjusts to daylight levels, with manual dimming in the main hall, to suit the various activities.

Airtight construction methods reduce the air infiltration, to make the building more energy efficient, further reducing heat loss.

Under floor heating throughout (which is more efficient than conventional radiators) with each space individually temperature controlled.

The main views out of the building, over the pond and across to the woods, make good use of the site. The timber construction is clearly expressed internally, adding to the natural feel of the main spaces.