Newton Pop pre-school saved

NEWTON Popleford’s Rainbow Pre-School has been saved from the brink of closure after a search for a new committee proved successful.

Leaders at the School Lane hub hope the facility can move clear from a year of hard times that began when a burst pipe caused flooding misery last December.

Organisers battled back from the devastation only for a new threat to surface in October – a lack of committee members.

Mum Nicky Rose, now pre-school chairman, said in October the situation was “going from bad to worse”, but told the Herald this week: “We are starting to find our feet and move on from all our troubles.”

The burst pipe last year caused the premises’ ceiling to collapse and the building was swamped with water.

Children were left without toys and play equipment for months after water damage wrecked the pre-school.

Items had to be thrown away after asbestos was found in the aftermath of the flooding heartache.

Mums and dads launched a fundraising bid to replace a climbing frame, slide, mats, dolls, books and teddies after disaster struck.

The Herald reported in October how the pre-school faced a new threat when 11 tots moved on to school, leaving a shortage of adult committee members.

The pre-school now has a new 12-strong committee, after its plight featured in the Herald, and an extraordinary general meeting was staged last month.

“We had a very successful appeal,” said Nicky.

“We are fully up and running under a new committee and are looking to fill spaces for ages two and three years and above.”

The pre-school enjoyed a nativity performance by youngsters on Tuesday.