POLITICIANS have joined forces in a bid to save a luncheon club from closure following a fallout between Trustees and volunteer organisers.
Warrington South MP Andy Carter and local Cllr Ian Marks issued a joint statement following a visit to the Oughtrington Community Centre, earlier today, Monday, following news of the closure as reported by Warrington Worldwide last week.
“We’re very grateful for the Chair of the Community Centre Trustees meeting with us earlier and for explaining some of the background to the closure of the luncheon club. The structure of the Trust is complicated and there needs to be a resolution that will preserve the facilities for the local community in perpetuity.
“We’re pleased that the Community Centre has confirmed that they want to see the regular lunch meeting resume. There are some outstanding issues to be resolved and we hope we can get all parties round the table by this weekend to reach some agreement about the way forward.”
Meanwhile, local residents have started a campaign to save the luncheon club and are urging members of the local community to apply to become a member at the Oungthrington Community Centre charity.
Sue Thomason who has helped produce a leaflet being distributed in the area by the Save Oughtrington Luncheon Club Action Group, said: Oughtrington Community Centre has closed its doors to the Luncheon Club, which after 38 years has been a vital lifeline for the elderly in our community.
“This was done without any notice, causing great distress and confusion for those affected.
“We are urging local residents to become members of the Community Centre to have a say in how it’s run and ensure it continues to exist and serve the needs of local residents.
“Forms are being delivered to all houses and can be dropped off at the Co-op and three other local addresses on the accompanying leaflet.”
Community Centre Chairman Paul Gibson, who wrote a letter to joint volunteer luncheon club organisers, brother and sister Derek Ridpath and Phyllis Greenough, telling them the luncheon club was being closed, has been approached for further comment.
In an initial brief response, he said the situation would be reviewed in due course.
1 Comment
The outstanding issue that needs to be resolved can’t be that the Trustees and Volunteers can’t work together – the luncheon club has been running for years! It’s lack of funding that’s the problem! It seems that neither Central Government, WBC or the Parish Council feel it’s their responsibility to fund such activities yet the luncheon club provides a much needed form of care in the community. They don’t need the photoshoots and protracted negotiations, why don’t Mr Marks and Mr Carter and WBC just do a ‘Gary’ and produce the cash?