Last ditch attempt to find committee for Rainbow Pre-School

A Newton Poppleford pre-school faces imminent closure unless it gets help.

Having just recovered from the disastrous effects on its School Lane building from a burst water pipe, Rainbow Pre-School now faces another threat.

With 11 of its children moving on to school this September, the committee has been seriously depleted.

Now, Jane Simpson, play leader of the popular pre-school for a decade, is turning to the community for help after its recent annual meeting failed to secure enough new committee members to carry on.

With only 10 parents left after the start of term, and not all wanting to stand for committee, Jane has called an extraordinary general meeting for Tuesday, November 8, in a last ditch attempt to secure a committee of up to 12.

Mum Nicky Rose, who lives in Exmouth, has taken on the role of chairman and has filled the important posts of secretary and treasurer.

A minimum of five is needed to carry on, or the pre-school will face closure.

“It is like going from bad to worse,” said Nicky. “The standing committee wanted to step down because their children have gone to school.”

After an annus horribilis for the pre-school; having to close its building in School Lane for massive repairs after the burst pipe, which caused collapsed ceilings and flooded play rooms, Jane hopes there will be enough people in the village who are prepared to offer help to keep it running.

“We only moved back in after the royal wedding. If a new committee and officers are not appointed at the EGM we will have to go through the dissolution procedure and will close,” she said.

“Staff will be made redundant and assets will go to the Pre-School Learning Alliance, and the Charity Commission will be informed of our closure.”

Stuart Vaughan, head of Newton Poppleford Primary, will attend the meeting at the pre-school from 8pm on November 8. Anyone interested in helping on the committee can call Jane on (01395) 567711 or at the pre-school on 07790577384.