For available dates and time of hire, please contact our Booking Secretary
Bobbie Loganathan on (01622) 861045.
All the external doors have now been replaced in just three days!
Many thanks to the Southern Glass fitters who did a fantastic job and the regular groups who were inconvenienced during this work. Thanks also to Downswood Parish Council and Kent County Council for the funding.
The new area for the two Euro bins has also been concreted and fenced off, this will make it easier for the refuse collectors
and save our grass from the might of the reversing lorry! A reshuffle of the understage storage area can now take place to make room for our new regular group, the 5th Bearsted Brownies.
Click here to see photos of new doors and new refuse bin area.
At this year DCA annual general meeting in September, the audited accounts showed that we were £7000 down on hiring income over the past year, compared to the previous year. This was obviously due to the current financial climate. As usual the annual report and accounts have been sent to the charities commission.
A representative from Downswood Parish Council – Bill Greenhead attended the last DCA general committee meeting in October 2009 and explained more details concerning the ‘centre wish list’ of items that could possibly be funded by Downswood Parish Council. Two major items have been included on this list as a matter of urgency; replacement of the two central heating boilers, and the hall floor. Toilet and kitchen facilities and refurbishment of the fire exit next to the ladies toilets are also on the list. The centre management will shortly be looking for quote for the central heating boilers but the committee agreed that a flooring expert should be contacted to ask for advice on a more hardwearing surface for the hall floor. A review of the centre hiring rates was also discussed at this meeting in October and it was agreed that the hiring fees would have to increase by 5% in January 2010 but would not include (all day) Saturday bookings which remain the same.
Fundraising:
This years Downswood summer fete will be held on the first Saturday in June, at the centre and the fundraising committee are currently holding a ‘Has Downswood got talent’ idea, for anyone who could possibly entertain at next years fete. Have you got talent? Ring Di.Thompson: (01622) 862730.
Roger 'Twiggy' Day, ex Radio Caroline pirate DJ (+ many other radio stations) and now BBC radio Kent presenter will open this years fete at 2pm. If you would like to know more about Roger 'Twiggy' Day, click here.
A very successful Children’s Halloween party took place on Saturday 31st October 2009, with approximately 100 people attending. Fun, games, a fancy dress competition along with refreshments, kept the children and parents scared but occupied!
Comings and goings: A new local group is to become a DCA section in November 2009 and hire the centre on a regular basis – the 5th Bearsted Brownies. This group is being run by Snowy Owl – Nicky Clifford, every Monday at the centre. Please ring Nicky for more details:07939260038.
Sadly we have lost the Muay Thai boxing group as Nicky Carter has moved home. The Parkinson's Disease Society meetings are also no longer running at the centre.
The centre has been successfully managed by The Downswood community association since it’s opening in 1990.
Thanks for taking the time to read this - John Everett, DCA Chairman.Telephone 01622 862730 - Mobile: 0770 815 0613.
Email:
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