Charity Benefits from Centre Opening

Mile Oak Community Centre

Mile Oak had double the benefit last Sunday with the opening of the long awaited new community centre as well as a contribution towards a national charity with a firm local link. The weather played its part with a barmy later summer evening to complement the free BBQ, local band and celebration by more than 100 local people and civic invitees.

The opening of the new facility follows 10 months of work by the Centre’s management committee and Matthew Ellis, the area’s County Councillor. The project to fund the new Centre started 10 years ago but had little success and many setbacks. David Weal, chairman of the management committee says,

“It’s almost beyond belief. When Matthew first talked to our group last year about providing Mile Oak with a new community building we really thought it was just more talk. But standing here by our new centre, amongst friends and neighbours from the local community, is magical. Everyone seems delighted with the new building and bookings to use it are going well. Today’s been a long time coming but it is well worth the wait”.

In the opening ceremony, the Mayor of Fazeley, the Chairman of Lichfield District Council and Matthew Ellis, thanked the main funders, Lichfield District Council, Fazeley Town Council, the County Council, Connexions, Awards for All, HomeZone and the Centre management committee for their help. The formal ribbon cutting was performed by Arthur Stretton, the longest standing member of the management committee.

The evening also raised £150 from donations for each serving of barbecued food and sponsorship for a parachute jump which went to the charity for cystic fibrosis. Local residents Gary and Kelly Blundell, who’s 18 month old son, Aston, suffers from the illness said, “We are delighted that the money raised this evening is going to cystic fibrosis. Thanks to everyone who’s donated so generously and well done with this brilliant new community centre”.

Construction has also been completed on a new purpose built youth centre attached to the back of the main building. Self contained with a roof height ceiling it has the capacity to accommodate up to 40 young people at a time. Matthew Ellis, the area’s County Councillor explained,

“The community centre and new youth facility are much needed for people in Mile Oak. When I first met the Centre management committee last year I was hugely impressed at their enthusiasm in wanting the very best for the local community. I’m thrilled to have been able to play some part in helping the committee to make this new building a reality. The youth centre, I hope, will be widely used by all ages of Mile Oak’s younger population. The building itself is finished and now we must find out from potential users what they would like to see in it. County Youth Services and Lichfield District Council will be consulting with the area’s young people to make sure what they would like to have is what we try to provide. I’m really delighted that Mile Oak people have got the extra facilities they need”.