Lymm Heritage Centre

PLANS to transform the former Royal British Legion building at Lymm for use as a Heritage Centre has received the thumbs up from the planning department.

The plans were submitted by the building’s new owner Howard Platt who is also personally funding the refurbishment.

“We are enormously grateful to Howard,” explained the group’s chair Alan Williams. “This whole project simply could not have happened without Howard’s vision and generosity.

“As well as providing us with a fantastic site for the centre the lease we are being offered is equivalent to a donation from Howard of around £10k per annum for the next five years according to oddsbonusar 2018 .”

With that kind of offer coming from just one member of the community the group are now looking to build on it to create a sustainable future for the centre. As well as providing an exhibition space to tell the story of Lymm the building will also act as a focal point for local history education for schools as well as a range of other activities to the wider benefit of the community.

Councillor Su Williams, originator of the project said: “We really hope that the people of Lymm will respond to our “100 Friends in 100 Days” campaign which will be launched at Brazilymm 66 on February 21.

“A commitment of just £2 per month per couple or £1 for an individual should bring us in £3,000 when gift aided.”
The group were also delighted to hear that Historic Transport Day which has spent its first three years building up reserves now plans to donate 50% of its profits to the Centre. The Parish Council also got behind the project this week and will be putting in £,3,000 in the first year subject to review in future years. Yet another £3,000 came from the authors of “The Wheels and the Water” as well as generous donations from friends and staff of Cotebrook and Domville Masonic Lodge.

The centre is holding its first Heritage Event, which is also a fundraiser, at the Lymm Hotel with their support from Sunday February 21st until Wednesday February 24.

Brazilymm ’66 is an exhibition of photographs and memories of the stay of Pele and the Brazil team at the Lymm Hotel for the 1966 World Cup.

The exhibition also features part of a large private collection of 1966 World Cup memorabilia much of which has never previously been on show.

A complete set of Pele 19966 kit is one of the highlights. The event which has attracted interest and involvement from the National Football Museum, also welcomes 1966 England star Roger Hunt to the Gala Opening at 6pm on the Sunday as its special guest and features a live Samba Band and 60s buffet.

Tickets – £12.50 for adults £3 for children can be obtained for the hotel, from Lymm Electric on Bridgewater Street or via the website www.lymmhic.co.uk

Top picture: Supporters of the Lymm Heritage Centre with a model of how it will look in the Lymm RBL building. From left, Trish Cockayne, Keven Lester, Malcolm Young, Su Williams, Alan Williams, Nella Dunkley, Alan Taylor, Helen Dunkley and Jamie McDonald.