LETTER: Show some community spirit, SHDC, and lower centre fees

Following on from Joan Woolard’s most valued comments I wish to add my own dissatisfaction regarding the use and high charges of the community centre.

I created a group called Friends of Fleet, the intention to befriend people who had moved to the village over recent years as well as existing residents to add another social dimension to the area.
However, after enquiring about the cost to use the community centre, for two hours including use of the kitchen to provide a cuppa, £45.50 seemed much too high a charge.

I therefore created an online Facebook group which has expanded in only five months to 60 members. Fortunately we have a friendly and accommodating local we meet in to hold our events which are varied each month. Unfortunately we are only able to add members who are Facebook users but we do encourage our members to bring their neighbours, friends or family along.

It is such a shame we have such a lovely community centre and cannot afford to use it when others who happened to start their groups before the changes it seems continue to benefit.
We have spoken about creating groups for younger people too in the village but as we cannot use the pub for such events it would mean charging high fees to run them.

A more reasonable fee should be charged for those wishing to support community spirit and involvement in the village but when even residents of the sheltered housing like Joan can get no support, it seems there is no hope for us especially as it seems no one wishes to take responsibility for hearing our pleas!

Fleet residents are very welcome to join our Facebook group ‘Friends of Fleet’ where we members post items of interest and what’s happening in the local area, arrange get togethers once a month and support each other in a neighbourly way.

 
Eileen Gilliatt
Fleet

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