Sidmouth Herald backs Stowford Community Centre’s bid for Campaign 2011 support

RESIDENTS near Stowford Community Centre, raise three cheers to news the Sidmouth Herald’s Campaign 2011 is supporting the centre’s fundraising efforts.

Jan Jones, from Baker Close, is fundraising committee chairman. She has already organised the first money-making event under the campaign banner – a Quiz Night at the Balfour Arms, Woolbrook, at 8pm on Thursday, February 24.

Residents have waited more than 20 years for work on building the centre to start. When completed in August it will also accommodate a Children’s Centre as well as offering hall facilities for hire and, hopefully a drop-in caf�.

“We will be having quizzes ever other month, Bingo and line dancing,” said Jan, who is also a director of the Community Interest Company set up to run the centre.

She is also planning a massive fundraiser for June.

“I have heard from organisers of Salcombe Regis Fete that we are one of their chosen charities to support this year,” said a delighted Jan, who feels the Herald’s backing will soon help raise the �15,000 needed to provide extra items – such as solar panels, outside storage for both the centre and Children’s Centre, and “all the extras” that come with a new build, such as licenses and health and safety committee equipment.

Fellow director Christine Drew said: “Helping us to raise more money for this project is so important to us, as there will be a host of items that will be needed when the centre is completed.”

The committee wants to raise another �10-12,000 before August, and with several thousand more to aid the Children’s Centre’s need for two outside storage sheds, a total of �15,000 is Campaign 2011’s target.

Mrs Drew said the committee had already raised �15,000, and had signed up for a match funding grant from Making it Local.

Funds to a small bursary pot will enable the committee to help groups wanting to use the centre but unable to meet the costs.

She added: “Although we are a separate body, I would hope that we can work along side the Children’s Centre and help them as much as possible in the future.”

*Stowford Rise Community and Meeting Facility will be run by trustees, who will employ a manager to run lettings and the day to day facilities.