Page 8 - link magazine

8 swindonlink.com • January 2010
Freshbrook centre takes next step to reopening

A public meeting before Christmas agreed a constitution for Freshbrook Community Centre to allow new management to reopen the building. green abbey
Once the charity commission- chair Tracy Brown. “You may
ers approve the new organisation, not be able to come to meetings,
Swindon Council will agree a but we need people with DIY E S T A T E S
new lease and user groups can and decorating skills to offer
move back in - probably in March their time. We’re planning some
or April clear up weekends when we can
The centre was closed by the move back. The nicer the centre 01793 487777 01793 531734
council in September when chari- is, the more likely we can make
table status was removed from a success of it.”
Freshbrook Village Group which Offers of help can be made in www.thepropertyshop-swindon.co.uk www.greenabbey.co.uk
had managed the building since the skills survey at: www.fresh-
May 1984 because accounts had brookcommunitycentre.org.uk
not been submitted for six years. Raleigh Dog Training Club
Now a group of volunteers Some of the residents who attended the public meeting in Freshbrook Church, organiser Molly Edwards said For all your Buying, Selling
have stepped up to the plate to including steering committee chairwoman Stephanie Bird, centre her group is keen to return to the
take responsibility for managing an important feature in Freshbrook improvements. centre as soon as possible. “We
the building for past users and and Grange Park.” But volunteers will be needed found a temporary home at Lydiard & Lettings Needs in 2010
new groups. Treasurer Nicki Howard told the to clean and decorate the centre Millicent, but the Freshbrook hall
Thirty people voted for the con- meeting, “we really are starting when the keys are handed over to is larger and it’s easy to get to. We
stitution and endorsed the steering from scratch. We don’t have any the steering committee said vice- want to come back soon.”
committee until an annual general money, but hope to attract grants
meeting in October. now that the constitution has been Playgroup can’t wait to move in
Chairperson Stephanie Bird said, agreed.
“we’ve suddenly taken on a big task “We estimate that annual run- The new Freshbrook Playgroup wants to return to the community centre
and we’re learning very quickly. ning costs will be about £12,000 as soon it can, said Linda Jacobs who has brought a management group
But we’re determined to bring the and income from groups which together after the privatised playgroup went bust in September.
building back to life because it’s have made commitments will be “We’ve had so much support from parents who want local pre-school
£9,500. So we have to work hard to provision for their children, and we have a strong committee. We’ve ap-
Hall for hire make the centre attractive to new plied for charity status and registration by Ofsted so that we’re ready to
organisations and private events.” start as soon as the building is available.
Blunsdon Village Hall is available Council community buildings “We’re also appointing staff after a tremendous response to the ad-
for parties during the evenings and officer Chris Hunt said essential vertisement in the December Link.” Barrie Jason Chris Peter
at weekends. Anyone interested repair works will be carried out dur- At present pre-school sessions take place as part of Munchkins Par-
should contact Rachel Smith on ing the spring and the committee ent & Toddler Group in the community rooms at Millbrook Community The Property Shop & Green Abbey Estates have over
705617.
could look for grants for building School. For details mail: [email protected]
100 years of experience between them.

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