VOLUNTEERS have been overwhelmed with support following the shock closure of the Oughtrington Luncheon Club.
Local residents rallied on hearing that the Oughtrington Luncheon Club had been forced to close after the locks were changed at Oughrington Community Centre, which had been their home for almost four decades.
A statement from the Save Oughtrington Luncheon Club Action Group said: “The Save Oughtrington Luncheon Club Action Group is overwhelmed by the level of support being shown by members of the public both in Oughtrington and the wider area of Lymm.
“The number of applications to become members of Oughtrington Community Centre is still rising. Membership of the Community Centre (which they own) will enable them to have a say in the running of the Centre, question the trustees regarding their decision to close the Luncheon Club and eventually remove trustees if they feel they are not acting in the best interest of the community.
“We remain hopeful the efforts of both Andy Carter M.P. and Ian Marks from Lymm Parish Council will result in a speedy reopening of Oughtrington Luncheon Club.”
The club, which provides hot meals for local pensioners twice week, was forced to close almost three weeks ago following a fallout between the Oughtrington Community Centre Trustees, and the volunteers, who run the Luncheon Club.
Local MP Andy Carter and Cllr Ian Marks, have joined forces in a bid to resolve the dispute.
Community Centre Chairman and Trustee 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 again been approached for further comment.
In an initial brief response, he said the situation would be reviewed in due course.
It’s understood that the fallout has come about over the running costs of the community centre and the contributions made by the luncheon club.
Local residents have taken to social media to voice their concerns.
One posted: “Mum has Alzheimer’s and asks us each time we see her when she can go back to Luncheon Club. Let’s Hope for all involved this sad situation is resolved very soon.”
Another said: “My 89-year-old mother is one of the many cruelly affected by the closure, she hopes every day to hear of a reversal in the decision.”
Another posted:”My husband suffers from Alzheimer’s and he was used to the consistency of going two days a week. Daily, he asks what time are we going to the Lunch group and shouldn’t we be getting ready or we shall be late! It confuses him even more when I explain its closure. So please let’s hope this issue is soon resolved 🙏🏻 which will make many people happy!”
Politicians join forces and community rallies in bid to save luncheon club from closure
