A Buckskin group hopes to bring a community hub back to life later this month with a relaunch of the Ridgeway centre.Headed by councillor Robert Taylor, a tenth birthday celebration will take place on Saturday, March 20 at the Blackdown Close facility.
Launched in 2000, the Ridgeway centre has ‘drifted’ in recent years, according to campaigner councillor Taylor, who hopes to make it bigger and better than ever. All clubs, groups, associations and agencies based at the Ridgeway centre will gather to mark the milestone. Cllr Taylor, interim chairman of the group, told the Observer: “This year marks the tenth anniversary of the centre and I think it is fair to say that it has drifted through the last two or three years. It hasn’t fulfilled its potential so we have got hold of it by the scruff of the neck with new initiatives.
“We want to relaunch the centre as the hub of the community here in Buckskin to make it what it was always intended to be. We know from anti-social behaviour that young people are drifting around with little to do so we want the centre to be a focal point for youth activity – the youth centre will be a key part of this. We hope this relaunch will bring the centre back to life.”
Among the delights will be a face painter, balloon artist, refreshments and special performances from some of the groups that run at the Ridgeway.
centre coordinator Dee O’Sullivan added: “This is a very good thing. More people than ever will be able to come and enjoy the range of activities that we put on here.”
Members of the Buckskin and Worting Community Association will be on hand, as well as volunteers and the community development officer to talk about initiatives to make Buckskin an even better place to live. Anyone interested can attend the Buckskin Community Open Day from 1.30pm to 5pm on Saturday, March 20. For more information contact the Ridgeway Centre on 01256 470665.
