Gazette readers save community centre (From Gazette Series)

Gazette readers save community centre

8:47pm Friday 28th April 2006 in Gloucestershire news By Jamie Dunkley

DURSLEY Community Centre has been saved after a record number of people attended the committee's annual general meeting on Monday night.

People throughout the town responded to the Gazette's call to "Save our Centre" by filling key roles on its committee.

Without a new chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary, the centre would have had to close under rules set down by the Charity Commission. Thanks to the new volunteers this will not have to happen.

Alan Burgess was named as chairman, Dursley town councillor Daryl Matthews as vice-chairman, Cara Zoglowek as treasurer and Andrew Cooper as secretary at the meeting attended by 33 people.

Lawry Hearle, who worked effortlessly to save the centre, told the Gazette: "Thanks to your campaign, people showed a real interest at the meeting. "It shows that community spirit still exists - I'm delighted that volunteers were willing to come forward and do their bit.

"My old colleagues and I who opened it in the 1970s are relieved and impressed."

Sarah Lears, co-manager of Soft Loft, a playgroup for children under six which uses the centre for its meeting, said: "We've been using the centre for two years and have attracted lots of people. We wouldn't have been able continue without the centre."

The community association was boosted by a fresh link with Dursley Royal British Legion, who will become associate members. This means they provide committee members and hold their meetings at the centre, providing long-term security for all involved.

Andrew Cooper, branch chairman of the legion, said the Gazette article alerted its members about the plight of the centre.

Mr Cooper, 48, of Cam, said: "We own a property on May Lane but it's sale is imminent. We've been looking for a new headquarters and your article gave us the idea to approach the centre and offer members for the committee if we could use the centre."

Roy Phillips, chairman of the community association which owns the centre, said: "We welcome all the new members to the committee and look forward to a long and happy relationship."

His sentiment was echoed by town Mayor Cllr Jane Ball, who has been running the centre alone with her husband Arthur. She said: "I'm just delighted to be working with new faces and welcome their input to the community centre."