Littlehampton’s Dove Lodge celebrates 10th anniversary

The community centre, in Beach Road, was almost condemned to the annals of history before it even began, when hopes of moving into the Dairy Centre, in Church Street, Littlehampton, back in 2001 were dashed at the 11th hour.

Councillors representing Littlehampton Town Council pulled out of a bid to support the effort to move into the premises.

But after a grant for almost £250,000 was given to the Council Voluntary Service to purchase and convert the Victorian property, in 2002, the lodge has gone from strength to strength.

It is now the nerve-centre of Littlehampton area’s voluntary sector, with more than a dozen charities, community and voluntary groups using the site , while others use it to hold meetings, training sessions and a range of other events.

Mike Clayden, director of Dove Lodge, has been with the centre since it began. He said that it has become a “much-loved” institution in the town – one that would hopefully remain in ther for years to come.

Mike said: “It’s been an honour to be part of this fantastic organisation.

“Dove Lodge is a very special place. It’s got a completely different atmosphere to some of those stuffy council buildings.

“We’re a happy, friendly place and we’re pretty tolerant to all the groups that use us.

“But it hasn’t always been easy. We’ve had to cut costs – like so many other people over the years and we’ve had to evolve with the growing needs of the Littlehampton community. But I certainly see a long and bright future for the lodge as we continue expanding and encouraging more people in.”

For more than 30 years before the voluntary groups moved in, the building was known as Amberley Rest Home, run by the Littlehampton Christian Care Association as a care home for the elderly.

From the mid-1950s, it was the Lyndhurst private hotel, but its history goes back to the late 19th century, when the building was owned by the then Duke of Norfolk.

Mike thanked all the people involved with the project, adding that there is more room for more groups to join. For more, call 01903 859347.