Community Use

The kids have now gone to bed and, so, as promised, I shall discuss the possibility of turning Watling Gate into a Centre for the community, given Trafford MBC is adamant that it will not demolish the building, this seems the best compromise and may even prove to be an improvement on my original proposition.

The proposal, therefore, is as follows:

That a management trust be formed to obtain funds to restore the building and, subsequently, to run it for the benefit of the community and the park

Suggested Uses

If we do go down the route of renovating Watling Gate for community use, we are very lucky in that it has the right sort of internal structure: Because the design is based upon the old-style homestead, the lower floor comprises a large hall with a number of smaller rooms opening off it. The house would, therefore, provide a very flexible venue for any number of activities:

Initial thoughts have included the following:

Adults

• Over 60s / University of the Third Age
• Health organizations
• Clubs/Societies
  • Scrabble, Whist and Bridge clubs are always popular,
• Music dance lessons / rehearsal rooms
• Theatre in the park
• yoga/pilates
• Martial arts
• Tai Chi
• WI type organizations
• Health awareness activities - partnership with South Trafford College?

Children

• Mums and Tots / Surestart
• Scouts/Cubs/Guides/Brownies/Rainbow
• Playgroups - mentioned by a few mums because of Park Road's policy of only having part-time nursery places.
• Homework club
• Children's parties
• Tumbletot type activities
• Story time/music sessions
• Holiday activities

Supporting the Park and building awareness of environmental issues

• Venue to support volunteer groups working in the park - green gym, gardening parties etc
• Farmer's market selling organic / local produce
• Health food co-operative selling organic vegetables and raising awareness of healthy lifestyle with a percentage of the surplus going towards upkeep of the house and park
• Education/Environment awareness building - Spring & Autumnwatch activities - Partnership with local schools
• Base for park fund raising activities and,
• last but not least, loo facilities, when the house is open.

Community-building

• Working together to make the project happen, enhancing Timperley, and making something to be proud
• Photographic museum showing Timperley then and now
• Fund raising venue for park/local causes - fairs, table top, book sales etc.
• Meeting venue
• Book Club
• Adult Learning
• Coffee mornings
• Coffee shop
• Showplace for local artists' work
• Exhibitions
• Workshops
• Children's christmas party

The above list is not exhaustive, nor are all the suggestions realistic, but, I bet that enough are to make the project a goer and, with a little thought, you could come up with a few more. Anyway, feel free to contact me with any thoughts..

Funding

My suggestions for funding are as follows:

Initial Funding The initial investment to renovate the building was always going to be high, but thanks to Trafford MBC's neglect the figure is mounting fast. Trafford's own estimates for repairs is £250,000, so round it up to £300,000 to cover contingencies. However, having done a bit of research on the web, I have discovered that this is not an impossible amount - funding is available: The project is a very good fit for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, for example and, with a bit of imagination, we could even incorporate the Park in the same bid and get funding for paths lighting etc. to improve public access to the House - Would be more money to raise, but, hey, what the hell!

Ongoing Funding As with the original proposal, made by Mssrs Ellison and Marsden, some of the house would be cordoned off to form a self-contained flat, with its own roof garden, which the trust could then rent out using the services of a property management company to provide an income for the ongoing maintenance of the house.

The ground floor would remain for the use of the community, run along the lines of the Larkhill Centre, with various groups renting time slots, the revenue from which would go towards the upkeep of the house. I would also, suggest, though, that recognition is given to the interdependence of the house and park, and a commitment undertaken to donate a fixed percentage (say 25%) of any income and/or surplus towards park improvements. Given the number of rooms, provision could also be made to house art exhibitions, etc. for longer periods.

Management

Useful ideas for forming a management Trust are to be found at:

http://www.partnerships.org.uk/AZP/start.html