A luncheon club which has served a community for nearly four decades, providing hot meals for elderly, vulnerable and isolated people, has been forced to close after being told to “cease trading” at short notice.
Following a fallout between the trustees at Oughtrington Community Centre and organisers of the Oughtrington Luncheon Club, the locks have been changed on the building, preventing access.
As a result, the Luncheon Club, formed by local resident Joyce Penlington more than 38 years ago, was unable to meet last week and is now homeless and been forced to close until the issue can be resolved or a new home is found. Equipment belonging to the luncheon club remains within the building.
The luncheon club is run by joint organisers, brother and sister Derek Ridpath and Phyllis Greenough who said in a joint statement: “Oughtrington Luncheon Club was shocked to receive an email on Thursday evening (9th Feb) advising that the trustees of Oughtrington Community Centre had decided to close Luncheon Club with immediate effect and the reason they gave for doing so. No prior discussions had taken place regarding the need to increase revenue from Luncheon Club or any financial targets expected.”
The closure has caused great upset in the local community. On average the luncheon club provides a hot meal twice a week for around 22 elderly and vulnerable pensioners and is run by eight volunteers.
Local Cllr Ian Marks, who raised the issue at last week’s meeting of Lymm Parish Council, said: “Although it is strictly not a Parish Council matter, it is right that we should be concerned about the distress caused to members of the Club. The Council has given many grants to the Centre and in the past one of our Councillors has been a Trustee.
“I offered to arrange an urgent get-together between the Trustees and the Club Organisers to try and help resolve the problem. The Club has agreed to this offer but the Chairman of the Trustees is only willing to meet with myself and another Parish Councillor. This is disappointing because talking is nearly always the best way forward when there is a disagreement. The last thing we want is the lawyers to get involved.
“The Luncheon Club is greatly valued by the members who attend it and it would be a huge shame if it must close on a permanent basis. I understand that the Club Organisers are looking for alternative premises but this is not proving easy and meanwhile, the Club is closed. I really hope we can find a solution that satisfies everyone.”
Meanwhile, Warrington South MP Andy Carter said: “I’m very concerned to hear about the decision to close the luncheon club and will be asking to meet with the Community Centre Trustees urgently to understand what the issues are and how we can find a solution.
“Having visited the club recently I know what an important part they play in reducing isolation for elderly residents and given the increase in fuel and other cost it’s times like these when such groups are really valued.”
In a letter on behalf of the Trustees of Oughtrington Community Centre seeking financial information, chairman Paul Gibson wrote to the Luncheon Club organisers stating: “The request for information was required in the pursuit of exploring how the luncheon club could assist with reducing the rising costs of the community centre.
“As you are aware the community centre has experienced an increase in its costs due to the current financial climate. It is therefore necessary to look at different avenues to generate a consistent and reliable source of income to ensure the success of the centre going forward.
“It is clear from the figures presented at last night’s meeting, luncheon club does not generate a profit that would maintain the self-sufficiency of the group.
“It has also become apparent that the working relationship between the trustees and the leaders of the luncheon club has become untenable.
“With these considerations in mind, the trustees are writing to you to inform you that the decision to give notice to cease trading of the service provided by Luncheon club has been agreed.
“This will take place with immediate effect. You will need to advise your clients and volunteers of the decision that has been made.”
He went on to request a further meeting at the community centre to hand over any monies, keys and financial records held in respect of the luncheon club.
The Trustees were approached for further comment.
In a brief response, Mr Gibson said: “Unfortunately, a number of the Trustees are away on holiday so are unable to pass comment at this stage. Taking into account that Oughtrington Luncheon Club is part of Oughtrington Community Centre we can hardly evict ourselves. The situation will be reviewed in due course.”
12 Comments
Luncheon Club was a fantastic Community Service run by amazing volunteers. It’s a disgrace how The Trustees have treated them & cruelly withdrawn this Facility for the elderly. Mum has Alzheimer’s.She volunteered at the Luncheon Club for many years, but now attends as a Member. She looked forward to going each week to meet her friends, socialise and have a hot meal. I truly hope this matter is resolved & Luncheon Club reopens very soon.
I am unable to put into words how disgusted I am by this hugely cruel closure of the Luncheon Club. Phyllis, Derek and the lovely ladies who selflessly volunteer at the Club have provided an invaluable lifeline to my elderly mother who has Alzheimer’s and to me as her carer – that three-hour, twice-weekly respite for both of us, and many others, is greatly appreciated. I have tried to explain to my mother that this social outlet has been snatched away from her, but she sadly just cannot understand it. I hope the Trustees of the Community Centre will realise just how many people they are adversely affecting (seemingly for no good reason other than a fit of pique) and remember the value of human kindness.
I’d very much like some transparency on how Oughtrington Community Centre is being operated and it’s motivations regarding benefiting the community. This act of closing down a much-needed services to Oughtrington’s elderly without any effort to work out a way forward is evidence that the local community is not the priority of the charity.
I’d also like to remind the Community Centre trustees that the company’s Articles of Assoication are legally binding and they should be mindful of following the rules set out therein.
Cannot believe the luncheon club has been locked out of the community centre. Whatever has occurred to cause this MUST be sorted without the luncheon club facility being shut down. Who does something like that??? Surely discussions can take place to rectify the politics elsewhere thus ensuring that the people who are regulars for their lunches are not inconvenienced. Community Centre Trustees need to rethink their attitude abd their actions. They have behaved in an appalling fashion.
This is terrible news. My friend Mary, who is 89, regularly attends the luncheon club and looks forward to it every week. She has made many friends there – it is the highlight of her week. The decision to take this lifeline away from Lymm’s older generation seems quite cruel and heartless. It will also impact on carers and relatives of the attendees, who might rely on the luncheon club for a few hours of respite. Loneliness and isolation have taken their toll on our older relatives in recent years – they deserve the opportunity to get back into into the world by socialising and meeting up with friends. What sort of community has a community centre that doesn’t help the elderly, many of whom are amongst Lymm’s most frail and vulnerable? It is a stark contrast to the friendly ‘village’ image that many people have of Lymm. I do hope that this situation will be resolved so that the most senior members of our community can get back to having a some much needed fun.
I think we all need to look at the reality of the situation. For sure the luncheon club does a fantastic job looking after the elderly in our community. I think the hatred being directed to the trustees, is miss placed. One of the roles of the trustees is to ensure the centre has sufficient funds to pay for the upkeep of the building and ensure its long-term financial viability. The Centre only receives income from its user groups, nothing from Lymm or Warrington councils. If it cannot fund its activities, it will eventually run out of money and close. I guess many developers would be more than happy to cram yet more housing on the site.
Now as we all know all costs heating lighting etc have gone through the roof, the Centre is no exception. The luncheon club receives no funding and relies on ah-hock grants and donations. As Paul has already said “luncheon club does not generate a profit that would maintain the self-sufficiency of the group” In any other organisation the luncheon club would have closed years ago. It is actually a credit to the trustees that they have supported the luncheon club this long with costs subsidised by the Centre, which ultimately means other user groups.
The real issue is not the Community center or it’s directors. It is social care on the cheap. The luncheon club needs proper funding that will support its long-term future. Perhaps the anger should be directed to Lymm council who seem to have endless money to spend on the village hall, but nothing for this centre. To WBC how should be supporting our elderly and vulnerable but pay nothing.I am quite sure that given long term proper funding the centre would be more than happy to continue to host the luncheon club
Joe, the community centre is owned and operated by the trust. It’s not a Parish premises. The village hall is both owned and operated by the parish council. The people responsible for decision making are the members and trustees, no one else.
Yes the village hall is run by LPC and we all pay towards it. But the point I was making is no one is paying for this social care. The centre cannot keep absorbing ever increasing costs. The trustees are all volunteers doing the best they can in a limited budget. If the luncheon club cannot financially pay their way what are the trustees suppose to do ?
Will all oughtrington accept say £5 on local council tax to pay for this care I suspect not.
I have written to the trustees offering to underwrite the cost of providing these meals so the pensioners don’t miss out – until the issue can be resolved – I am still awaiting a response.
“luncheon club does not generate a profit that would maintain the self-sufficiency of the group”
Very generous of you to write an open check for meals lighting heating electric etc for what ? next 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years ?
Luncheon needs proper funding to survive. This is not about trustees or the centre.
Perhaps you can find them alternative accommodation based on their current funding abilities
You are right – it is about the pensioners having a hot meal twice a week in a venue close to their homes in surroundings they feel comfortable with. The building will need to cover its running costs even when empty – something paying towards it is better than nothing at all. There is a solution better than kicking them out with little warning and changing the locks – surely?
I think most people’s idea of a ‘Community Centre’ is a venue for use by the community for the benefit of the community. This building is actually owned by the community and over the years has had very substantial funds raised by the community to renovate and improve facilities. Of all the user groups, I think the Luncheon Club for vulnerable people would be regarded by most members of the community as being the group that actually needs and benefits most from the use of this facility, and it’s probably a main reason people have given so generously to keep the facility going. I understand that balancing the books must be difficult for the Trustees, and there must be some frustration that there has not been any funding from either the Parish or Borough Councils for the luncheon club but surely the Trustees could work with the volunteers to solve the problem rather than prevent them from using the building? Gary Skentelbery has made a very kind and generous offer and there are probably other local businesses that may also contribute and individuals too. How about crowdfunding to keep the L Club going until a permanent solution is found? The Borough council does have grants that could be applied for and the Parish Council does too! Have they refused to help?