Major Steps forward with Community Centre project:
· Lease signed
· Further funding secured
· Builder appointed
· CCC coffee shop to open Spring 2011
· Recruitment for a manager
Much has happened since the May Newsletter. It has been very exciting - and sometimes a little stressful - but CCC will be a fantastic facility for the whole village, young and old but we continue to need your support to capitalise on the opportunities. We will try and keep you updated with events and news as much as we can and when appropriate in future.
Do you have friends/neighbours who have not joined yet? See the website (www.cottenhamcc.org ) for a membership form and to show support. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter (cottenhamcc) and LinkedIn.
Read on for a summary of our latest news.
Lease signed and sealed - we are now the owners!
I am delighted to say that the lease is now finally agreed and signed – the building is now “ours”! The lease will last for 50 years at a peppercorn rent. The legal negotiations had seemed tortuous at times but are now, at last, concluded. This, along with the funding obtained (see later) means that this great community project can now really move ahead.
As I mentioned last time, a Methodist circuit minister (Simon Oliver) to cover a number of local villages will base himself at the coffee shop some of the time. He will be welcomed to this new position at a meeting at CCC on 31 August.
Builder appointed - starts work 1 September
Following the tendering process, I am pleased to say that Andrew Turner has been appointed to do the building work.
In view of the further money available we have decided to start the building work with the erection of Scaffolding (on 1 September) with a view to complete re-roofing – something that it has become apparent is needed quite urgently. It makes sense to have the roof and insulation done at the same time as the internal part of the “church” to make it into a coffee shop rather than risk spoiling the new fittings later. This will also reduce the period of disruption.
It is expected that much of the building work will be done over 4- 5 months during the autumn and early winter and it will be necessary to close the use of the facilities for the week beginning 1 September and for a further period later. In addition there will be, inevitably, some noise, dust and disruption throughout the works period. We hope that much of the work will be done before the VAT increase on 4 January 2011.
You may recall that the hall and side rooms were decorated by volunteers and the 2 storage rooms were decorated by youngsters from The Centre at Cottenham Village College.
Cleaning has to date been done by the committee members but it is hoped to have a cleaning contract in future.
CCC coffee shop to in Spring 2011
We plan to open the coffee shop in February/March 2011 because of the expected date of the completion of the building works as above.
Further funding secured - more money needed to achieve vision
David Mudd has been very busy contacting numerous trusts and I am pleased to say that, as a result, we have received funding from Allchurches Trust, The Rank Foundation and the Garfield Weston Foundation as well as from ARM Ltd.
I am delighted to say that we have now received £50,000 from the Methodist Circuit/District. We are hoping to receive further amounts from the Methodist organisation nationally and also from Donarbon Community fund and perhaps others.
We will still need further fundraising for a new boiler and to replace the back hall windows and perhaps for acoustic insulation/equipment etc. A sound survey will be commissioned soon.
There is also scope to extend the use of all the rooms. Do you know of any further new classes that would like to open in Cottenham? Do put them in touch with us.
As mentioned in the last newsletter South Cambs District council have provided funding, as have Cottenham Parish council and Donarbon Community Fund subject to conditions.
Managing the CCC - much interest from the village
I am pleased to say that the Cottenham Newsletter advert for a manager of the centre has produced 5 expressions of interest so far and we will be keeping these people informed of progress. It is not too late to express an interest if you have catering experience and want to use your organisational, management and administrative skills for this exciting community project?
Also do you have catering skills/experience and are willing to volunteer to help design the kitchen? Alternatively you may be able to produce a sketch of what the coffee shop will look like to use for publicity. We would like to hear from you as soon as possible.
We will be working with Mencap people who are undergoing training in catering and we will need volunteers –some to sell coffees, cakes, sandwiches etc and some to help supervise the Mencap people. Are you or your friends interested in these great volunteering opportunities? – Please let me know if so.
Also we would like to help All Saints Parish church celebrate its 800th anniversary by producing a CCC floral arrangement, a collage or other art work which fits the Christian saint theme (and advertises the CCC) for Saturday 30 October. Do you have artistic skills and would like to volunteer to help with this – if so please do get in touch with me at this e-mail address.
People’s Millions - update
We have met most of the conditions but still need to spend the £50,000 on the coffee shop by the end of 2010!
Planning persmission
We have planning permission for the change of use from a Methodist church to a community centre and to improve access into and through the building.
The little things
We plan to have sturdy, practical toys for pre-school age. If you have, or come across at car boot sales, any well-made toys or books that are brand new or like new that you would like to donate please let me know. Must be safe, in perfect working condition and not be battery operated.
Fun and fundraising
Recent fundraising activities include
27th April Pampered chef evening
8th May Stall at FECA Fun Run and market
22nd May Coffee morning and cake stall
Thank you for supporting these
CCC is also arranging further fundraising activities.
2 Aug Tatty Bumpkin 10am –11am for 21/2 to 6 year olds £ 4.50 max
3 August Children’s crafts – Sheila Gosling
10 August Children’s crafts – Sheila Gosling
21st Aug Coffee morning and cake stall
11 Sept Stall at FECA Autumn show
Cashing in on ideas
If you can help with these or have further ideas that you would be happy to progress please let me know at this e-mail address – we still need to raise a lot of further cash to complete the vision! Please support all the activities.
The vision and how we run CCC
As you will be aware, CCC is now a registered charity and has a board of trustees. It also has a website (www.cottenhamcc.org ) which gives details of the classes and activities currently running – please do take a look. All the classes have spaces for more members. CCC has a business plan that shows that with your support it can become self-funding. This is our big vision and aim.
Shout about CCC!
Please continue to encourage your friends and neighbours to join. We need you all to be our ‘ambassadors’, to show support, to tell people about CCC and to help with the funding of this major and exciting project.
Mike Smith on behalf of Cottenham Community Centre Trustees