Celebrations as award-winning Fernhurst Centre opens again

During lockdown the centre was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and messages of congratulation poured in from the community, as well as from Gillian Keegan MP and dignitaries, including High Sheriff, Dr Timothy Fooks and Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Susan Pyper.

Trustee Antonia Plant said: “The award is a tribute to the valiant service of the volunteer team that manages and runs the centre and they have stepped up yet again to make the significant changes required to render the centre safe and welcoming. We look forward to seeing first time visitors as well as familiar faces, as we learn what the new normal means for us all in the coming weeks.”

Manager Pauline Colcutt, despite a broken wrist sustained in May, was busy working out a distance-compliant plan and the Coffee Stop Café is able to welcome customers, with coffee, hot drinks, snacks and cakes. Pauline said: “We knew of so many people who had barely ventured beyond their front doors for several months so we wanted to be ready to welcome them back as soon as possible into a friendly but controlled social environment. We are starting cautiously by opening three mornings a week.”

Language classes continued online. Spanish tutor Claudia Vargas said it was hard to remember what day it was let along the topic: “However, we soon realised the important thing was to have fun and support each other during this stressful time and we did manage a lot of laughter, which was good for us all.”

More information about the course and events that the Fernhurst Centre intends to hold in the Autumn is available at www.fernhurstcentre.org.uk

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