Nerve Centre Opens

Representatives from the voluntary sector and local dignitaries arrived to formally celebrate the opening of the Littlehampton community resource centre.

Home Office grants administrator Hemant Acharya declared the centre open and spoke warmly of the centre.

"I am pleased to see the many diverse groups using Dove Lodge and pleased that the Council for Voluntary Service in Arun has a higher profile and is made more accessible by operating on one site."

Dove Lodge was made possible by a 250,000 Capital Modernisation Grant a one-off grant from the Home Office to help with building on infrastructure, as well as facilities such as IT equipment and telephone systems.

It also benefited enormously from a whole host of local businesses and organisations.

"There are so many people I want to thank, the support we have received here has been tremendous," enthused deputy director Valerie Sharp.

And for a while, the Dove's future looked quite bleak.

Nine months ago, Home Office funding for the Dove Project had been secured to improve their offices at the Dairy.

But a spanner was thrown into the works at the last minute, when The Dairy's owner, Littlehampton Town Council, changed its mind and refused a new 10-year lease necessary for the project to go ahead.

Alternative premises needed to be found, if the Dove was to hang on to its grant, and the property in Beach Road was found to be ideal.

Extra cash to fund the purchase was stumped up by the Littlehampton Regeneration 2000 partnership, and the Home Office agreed to let their grant be used for the purchase as well.

Valerie once again paid tribute to the dedicated band of volunteers and supporters, and in particular, thanked the Body Shop.

"I want to thank everyone, but especially the Body Shop, who not only gave us 1,000 but also provided the manpower to paint the building."

For more pictures, see the Gazette, October 10.