Leamore pensioners still out in the cold
News
Leamore pensioners still out in the cold
The YamYam 20 Feb 10
After being promised new premises four years ago, members of Leamore Park Senior Citizens club are still waiting for a new base, a year after they were forced to move out of their former building.
The former Sons of Rest building, home to the 55 member club, was allowed to fall into disrepair and was closed in January 2009. Since then, it has suffered arson attacks and was finally demolished last week.
Back in 2006, Walsall Council and New Deal for Communities gave a presentation to the club which suggested that a new community centre would be built in Leamore Park for community groups including the Sons of Rest. At that time, Walsall’s New Deal announced improvements to the park costing £831,000 as part of £52million funding from the Government granted in 2001. Work took place in the park during the first half of 2007 and included tennis courts, a bowling green and formal and informal gardens. In August last year, Walsall Council proposed plans for a new multi-use games area and a new skate park.
The Sons of Rest group currently only have the use of a pavilion in the park for two hours on Mondays. Councillor Pete Smith, who represents Blakenall, said:
“The club members are quite rightly upset about the lack of progress in finding them a new base in the park. It is not acceptable that this long established Senior Citizens Group has not only lost its building and facilities but is still waiting for promises made some four years ago to be honoured.”
Walsall’s New Deal for Communities is currently being rebranded as New Horizons Community Enterprise and its website is unavailable as it is being “redesigned”. However, the organisation has said that the old Sons of Rest building was owned by Walsall Council and beyond their jurisdiction. Head of Greenspaces at Walsall Council, Graham Hood, said: “I am due to meet with Sons of Rest representatives on Monday and it would be inappropriate to make any comment prior to listening to their views and suggestions.”
Walsall New Deal New Horizons Community Enterprise (dead link)
Walsall New Deal Media releases (Oct 09)
Walsall New Deal Contact
Walsall New Deal Leamore Park
Walsall Council Bloxwich District Project: Leamore Park Youth Facilities
Blakenall Village Centre Home
Leamore pensioners still out in the cold
The YamYam 20 Feb 10
After being promised new premises four years ago, members of Leamore Park Senior Citizens club are still waiting for a new base, a year after they were forced to move out of their former building.
The former Sons of Rest building, home to the 55 member club, was allowed to fall into disrepair and was closed in January 2009. Since then, it has suffered arson attacks and was finally demolished last week.
Back in 2006, Walsall Council and New Deal for Communities gave a presentation to the club which suggested that a new community centre would be built in Leamore Park for community groups including the Sons of Rest. At that time, Walsall’s New Deal announced improvements to the park costing £831,000 as part of £52million funding from the Government granted in 2001. Work took place in the park during the first half of 2007 and included tennis courts, a bowling green and formal and informal gardens. In August last year, Walsall Council proposed plans for a new multi-use games area and a new skate park.
The Sons of Rest group currently only have the use of a pavilion in the park for two hours on Mondays. Councillor Pete Smith, who represents Blakenall, said:
“The club members are quite rightly upset about the lack of progress in finding them a new base in the park. It is not acceptable that this long established Senior Citizens Group has not only lost its building and facilities but is still waiting for promises made some four years ago to be honoured.”
Walsall’s New Deal for Communities is currently being rebranded as New Horizons Community Enterprise and its website is unavailable as it is being “redesigned”. However, the organisation has said that the old Sons of Rest building was owned by Walsall Council and beyond their jurisdiction. Head of Greenspaces at Walsall Council, Graham Hood, said: “I am due to meet with Sons of Rest representatives on Monday and it would be inappropriate to make any comment prior to listening to their views and suggestions.”
Walsall New Deal New Horizons Community Enterprise (dead link)
Walsall New Deal Media releases (Oct 09)
Walsall New Deal Contact
Walsall New Deal Leamore Park
Walsall Council Bloxwich District Project: Leamore Park Youth Facilities
Blakenall Village Centre Home