Local artist Mary Deaville, who is well known in Ross-on-Wye for her art classes at the Baptist Church and her work at John Kyrle High School, is hopeful that her dream to open the former Chapel in Cantilupe Road as a centre for creativity may still come true.

Mary originally pitched her idea for Chapel Creatives to Ross Town Council in November 2015. However she was in competition with the drug and alcohol treatment charity, Addaction, which was successful.

Mary told the Town Councillors that Chapel Creatives would be a place where creative people can join together to help other people enjoy their life though the use of art and craft.

Now Mary has told the Ross Gazette that there is another opportunity for her to rent the Old Chapel. She is once again looking for support from creative people who would join her in the Community Interest Company she is planning to set up, or those who would be interested in using their services.

She is looking for people interested in leasing space within the chapel. There are three individual room which could be used by creative people. There is also the main hall which could be hired for parties, workshops and meetings. And there is gallery space around the walls which could be hired by artists for exhibitions.

Mary told the Ross Gazette that all the things which made Chapel Creatives a great idea the first time around are still true. She said this would be a good focal point for tourists and visitors. She would like to link with all other creative people in Ross and Chapel Creatives would complement Made In Ross, which is based at the Market House and people would get to know Ross as the hub for creativity.

The Chapel is also disabled friendly with great access and facilities. She said it would be suitable for use by people of all ages.

Mary is hoping to get letters of support from anyone with a creative interest, including art, music, knitting and would like to encourage links with art groups further afield.

She said it is widely recognised that arts can help mental health and well being and she envisages bringing arts and businesses together. Mary would be very interested in hearing from any art therapists who would like to work within Chapel Creatives.

If you are interested in renting a room in the Old Chapel for use as a creative space, or if you would like to see the building put to this use, please contact Mary at [email protected]

The Ross Gazette tried to contact Addaction for comments about their tenancy of the Old Chapel but we had not been able to contact anyone before we went to press.