Page 31 - link magazine

4

WHAT'S UP

DOWN AT THE

If you drive along Bodiam Drive, you will discover an old Farm, unusual
in Toothill where all the houses, the people and the community are
brand new. From the read Toothill Farm looks derelict, and unkept but
if you go into the Farmyard at certain times of the day, you'll find things
happening. An active playgroup uses the Farmhouse Community Centre on
five mornings and four afternoons a week, and in the evening a number of
community groups, like the Carnival Committee, meet there. Across the
yard Toothill Youth Club operates from the old . barn which they cleaned
up and painted themselves. Last summer the Fete was'centred at the
Farm site, using the outbuildings and grounds for different activities.

Lots more Thamesdown Borough Council have spent
as much as they intend on making the
could happen Farm Community Centre usable. The
community of Toothill is being looker,
to, to get a project together which
would make full and proper use of the
whole site0

These are some which could be done at
the farm:-
a pottery; a motorcycle
workshop; car maintenance;
a p4tice skittle alley;
indoor rifle range; a play
farm with real animals;
a community television
station; a Photography
Darkroom.
These ire just a, few. There must be
many more ideas around.

I nterested?

p
This will be a self hel project, th community are going to have to pet
involved to make it work. What is needed are people with enthusiasm and
ideas who can do some fund raising by applying for grants and who have skills
available. We need plumbers, electricians, tilers, bricklayers , concrete
mixers and layers etc; in fact anybody willing to put interest and energy
into the project.
Alternatively if, money is raised to pay for materials, Community Industry,
a Goverment agency might do the work for free.
Altogether it* a huge job, but an exciting idea.. If it catches your
imagination, get in touch with me Roger Ogle at Toothill Farmhouse,
Bodiam Drive or on 26161 ext. 454.