THE emotional announcement of a £500,000 Lottery ‘win’ that will transform a landmark building into a new centre for people with disabilities was greeted with jubilation.

Chepstow and District Mencap wants to completely refurbish the former Board School in Bridge Street, opposite Chepstow Castle into a fully-accessible centre.

Members were hoping for a party when they gathered at the Burnt Barn social club on Thursday (October 4) – and they were not to be disappointed.

The announcement was made by Mrs Heather Perrett, who founded the group some 46 years ago with husband Ralph .

Almost choked with joy, she managed to read the first few lines of the confirmation letter from the Big Lottery People and Places fund.

The single storey building was last used as a factory for Stuart Crystal but was empty for many years, until Mencap let local refugee charity iNEED use it to process donations.

The group now has to match the Lottery grant.

Chair of trustees Sue Nicholson said: “We bought the schoolhouse five years ago and, in my naivety I thought we’d get the funds and refurbish the building.

“I didn’t realise it would cost £1 million – Mencap will commit all their reserves and we are going to do a lot of fundraising.”

Among those she thanked was the ‘engine room’ team who put together the bid.

Monmouth Assembly Member and Mencap vice-president Nick Ramsay said: “I visited the school and it was in a bit of state but you could see the potential, even at this early stage and I’m delighted the Big Lottery has seen that potential as well.

We know this is not just a project that will transform the lives of you guys here, it’s going to transform the community of Chepstow. It is going to be a real hub of the community. It ticks all the boxes, it is going to be a facility for everyone.

“I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting some fund-raising done.”

Chepstow town councillor Dale Rooke said: “This is fantastic news for users of the Berkeley Cetnre and fantastic news for Chepstow.”

The Chepstow grant was one of two of the maximum awards in Wales.

Among the other 90 projects across the Principality to receive a grant was Ready Steady Go based in Caldicot.

It will use its £8,149 to provide a weekly after-school and holiday club for young children with autism to address issues such as anxiety, isolation and exclusion.