JERICHO ECHO ARTICLE
May 1996
After nine years' setvice, Mary Mahabir is stepping down as administrator. Her place is being taken, on a job-sharing basis, by Beverley Barrett and Sue Hughes. Beverley has been in Jericho for three years, and Sue for six. Both have children who have attended the nursery at the centre and then gone on to the school.
"We are very proud to be part of the Jericho community," says Beverley. She points out the many groups that use the centre: "Three ballet groups, bingo, tai chi, a playgroup, a lunch club, life dance, Egyptiari dance, the Sunday school, youth drama, art classes, aerobics, a parents and toddlers group, and an art cafe." One of the newest classes is self-defence for men, women and children. But Beverley and Sue think there is still a lot more potential: "There is room for development in all areas of the centre, and we would greatly appreciate ideas and voluntary help from local residents and potential users".
The committee that runs the centre also has a new chairperson - Jan Needle, who at the AGM in April took over from Fr. Michael Wright who wishes to concentrate on fund-raising activities for the church. The centre is self-funding and has charitable status. Most of the income comes from letting the upper floors for offices. In the last financial year it registered a small surplus after losses in 1994.
As reported in the last edition of the Echo, plans have been drawn up to remodel the centre. City Council Community Recreation Officer, Janet Tonge, presented the latest plans at the recent Area Committee Meeting. The idea is to make more flexible use of the ground floor by having movable barriers instead of the current walls. There would also be a toilet for the disabled and a much bigger kitchen. The front door will be moved round the corner to a new entrance in Cardigan Street to allow for a more welcoming foyer area. The total cost, depending on the extent of the refurbishment, is around £110,000. An application has been made to the National Lottery for £91,500 of this. The response to the application is unlikely to be received before the summer.
lf the answer is no, then the scheme would have to be considered as an item of capital expenditure by the Council Finance Committee. However, the odds against success here may be even greater than for the lottery. The Council already has bids for nearly £1.5 million of capital schemes which it has agreed but for which it does not have the money. So it could take some time.