Group wins a reprieve (From Witney Gazette)

Group wins a reprieve

1:22pm Wednesday 12th July 2006

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A THREATENED community hall and its nursery is looking forward to a brighter future after a church group was given the go-ahead to take over running it.

After more than a year of uncertainty, parents and residents on Witney's Smith's estate have reason to celebrate as a deal is thrashed out to ensure the continuation of Ceewood Hall and Ceewood Pre-school Playgroup, which runs from the hall.

'Our main concern now is the repairs to the building to ensure it's safe and getting people to start using it again'

Gary Long, pastor of Oasis Family Church

There were fears the hall would have to close, leaving the nursery homeless, after Witney Town Council gave up its lease in December last year following a decline in its use and problems communicating with its owners, the Shaftesbury Housing Group.

Earlier this year, Witney MP David Cameron urged Shaftesbury to work with local councils and groups to come up with a solution.

The housing association has now agreed to lease the hall to Witney-based Oasis Family Church, which plans to allow the nursery to continue running from the building.

Shaftesbury has pledged to use money provided by the town council to carry out repairs to the dilapidated hall over the summer.

Although details of the lease are still being finalised, the church group is expecting to take over the lease for one year from September 1, and is already working to get more community groups and individuals to use the hall in hope of securing its future long-term.

Gary Long, pastor of Oasis Family Church said: "We're happy to have this chance. Our main concern now is the repairs to the building to ensure it's safe and getting people to start using it again. We've got Windrush Ballet School signed up to start using it on Saturdays and we're going round the houses on Smith's to ask people what they want.

"We're very positive about the future and are really happy that the playgroup will be able to continue."

A delighted Elaine Smith, who is supervisor at the playgroup, which opened at the hall 35 years ago, said: "The church group seem very supportive of what we do and it's very good news after everything that's happened."

The church group plans to use the hall every Sunday for worship, but said it could be hired out for children's parties or to community groups at all other times.

Ian McDermott, chief executive of Shaftesbury Housing Group, said: "As well as understanding the benefits of investing in the wider community, Shaftesbury recognises how important early years education is so we are pleased that with this agreement the playgroup will be able to continue to operate in an improved Ceewood Hall."

• To hire the hall, contact Mr Long on 01993 705600.

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