At the end of July, your editors were shown round the empty premises of the Village Club. Although the public rooms are in a poor state, the good news is that a working party has been set up to plan and execute improvements to the premises and many of the comments made at the special meeting on May 20 are being considered. The enthusiastic working party is brimming with ideas and is already actively involved, under the watchful guidance of the trustees. It is intended that a programme of work using volunteers will begin as soon as possible. However, as the building belongs to a charitable trust who have little money behind them, a major fund-raising effort will be started to pay for this refurbishment. The plan is to turn the Club into an asset of which the village can be proud, a place which all residents can enjoy and to which they would be pleased to bring their families and friends.
It is hoped that much of the work can be undertaken by residents as there is a wealth of talent available covering much of the expertise needed. If you have any skills that might be useful, and/or any spare time to give a hand, please contact Peter Jackson (chairman of the working party) on 01923 291036.
It is going to take time to turn this ugly duckling into a swan and the working party do not expect to be ready to re-open the Club before spring 2004. Until then, regular progress reports will be published in Chipperfield News.