Community Centre (HFCC)

by Pat
Hainault Forest Community Association is well positioned next to the Library and opposite the Manford Way Shopping Centre.  The 362 and 462 buses pass the door and it is within a 5 minute walk of the 150 and 247 bus routes in New North Road.

Membership is available to all people over the age of 18.  A list of fees can be seen on their website, also their activities timetable, details of their facilities and a description of the Hainault Community Day Nursery, which is part of the Association and managed by the Association’s General Committee and the Nursery Manager.

The background to HFCA goes back to the late 1940’s.  1944/45 saw the expansion of Hainault.  German and Italian prisoners of war, based in camps in Forest Road and Beech Grove respectively, were set to work on the preliminary construction of the Hainault Estate, including single-storey pre-fabricated houses known as “pre-fabs”.  They also lowered the road under Hainault railway bridge to allow double decker buses to travel down New North Road.

By early 1948 the area had completely changed, with the erection of single storey and two storey pre-fabs and many other types of housing.  The green fields were gone and Hainault Estate had arrived.  On 31st May 1948 the Central Line came to Hainault.

The idea of a Community Centre for Hainault began in 1948.  At that time the company W & C French Limited were involved in the construction of Manford Way and had a Romney Hut and brick built canteen in that area.  When they left they offered these buildings to Essex County Council for a Community Centre and Playing Field accommodation.

Agenda and Minutes of Essex County Council dated November 1951 refer to the recommended purchase of 1,377 acres of land for a site for a Community Centre.  The amount quoted was £2,500 plus £25 Legal Costs and it was agreed that, “Subject to the consent of the appropriate Minister and, if requisite, that of HM Treasury under the control of the Borrowing Order, 1947, the Council do borrow the amount of £2,525 for the purchase of the site, plus legal expenses, for Hainault Community Centre.

March 1952 Agenda and Minutes state that Ministerial consent had been received for the Council to borrow, as a County Loan over a 60 year period, the sums of £2,525, plus legal expenses, for the purchase of the site.  It was also agreed to pay £150 pa exclusive for the former brick canteen for use as a Community Centre.

In November 1952 it was planned to borrow a further £750 plus £25 legal costs to purchase the Romney Hut and brick built canteen as a Community Centre and Ministerial consent was given for this loan.  Approval for the initial development of the site was received in November 1953.

The Association was extremely active, running coaches to Tottenham and Arsenal football matches, the London Palladium and other theatres and the Searchlight Tattoo.

Many clubs were formed, including Old Time Dancing, the Horticultural Society, Rabbit and Poultry Club, Women’s Keep Fit, Physically Handicapped, Budgerigar Society, Community Football Team, Drawing, Painting and Art Appreciation, Woodwork, Typing, Hairdressing, Dressmaking, and many more.

The Treasurer’s Report in November 1959 noted that class fees for the first quarter of the year exceeded the figures for the whole of 1958 as, “lettings were good, and canteen sales were up. So all in all, things are getting brighter.”

One concern was that Friday nights were quiet.  Several suggestions as to why this should be were put forward, including, “perhaps it is because it is bath night”.

At Christmas 1959 a children’s party was held for 120 5-12 year olds.  The total cost was £33, which included a small present for each child.

In 1960 the Association held a Community Ball of the Year.  Also held were a Social Evening in April, with Old and Modern Dancing, sing songs, etc.  On Sunday May 8th an outdoor Community Service was held attended by approximately 200 people.  Children’s Dancing Classes were held on a Saturday morning and coaches to the Albert Hall and Sadlers Wells were run.

1961 saw the introduction of Car Maintenance classes, Continental Cooking, Whist Drives, and an Old Folk’s Club, Gardening and Camera Clubs and rooms were let our for Wedding Receptions.  As the Religious outdoor meeting had been such a success it was agreed to make it an annual event on the second Sunday in June.  It was also agreed to let the Library have a room at a rent of £40 quarter.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF HOW THE ASSOCIATION HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE PAST 18 YEARS

Since 1986 there has been a specific target regarding the facilities and activities to be made available to users. There were two main issues that need to be addressed before the action plan could be instigated.

1)         ANNEXE BUILDING

This area needed major refurbishment work if it was to continue to play a part in the Associations' future. Rooms were dilapidated and the flat roof was continually in need of repair to alleviate water leakage.

2)         MAIN BUILDING

This consisted of a small Bar area, Main Hall with a badminton court and an Office area. It was apparent that major refurbishment was required to encourage residents to use our facilities and to add other rooms to increase activities for such use.

The activities within the Annexe building in 1986, consisted of CAB, 12 child Nursery facility, Dog training and Karate.

It was imperative that a pitched room was erected to eradicate future leaks.

This was carried out by London Borough of Redbridge in accordance with their responsibilities as Landlords and terms of our lease.

The CAB at that time occupied two small offices and a waiting area and due to their increase in users it was agreed to transfer them into what was our childcare facility.

This then enabled us to facilitate the Day Nursery within the main annexe area which was now free of water leakage. Investment was required to use the whole area as a Day Nursery for children and 2-5 years. At this time it did not fall within the Boroughs remit to fund pre-school education.

It was apparent to our management committee, however, that there was a definite need for both parents of a family to return to work and that our role as a Community Association should be to provide a low cost affordable facility for local parents.

Funding was obtained from private trust granting foundations and the Association itself.

Numbers of placements were increased gradually from 12 to 39 for 2-5 years olds. In 1999 we realised the need for mums to return to work earlier following maternity leave.                                                                                                  

We obtained registration for a 7 place (3mths- 2 years) area to assist parents and this proved very popular, once again, this was funded by the Association.

SUMMARY

The position within the Annexe building was now a purpose built CAB and a much imporoved OFSTED registered childcare facility.

In 2001 the Association was approached by Redbridge Children's Information Service to ascertain the possibility of sharing the CAB facility (as the CAB only used it 2 days a week). This was due to the premises currently used by CIS being far from adequate.

Lengthy discussions ensued and it was finally agreed satisfactorily with all parties concerned that the CIS occupy all the area in question with the CAB moving to our main building.

Accordingly a sub-lease was drawn up by local services and the Association received £100 per week rent which includes all heating, lighting and cleaning costs.

Due to the need for additional childcare places our Nursery was seen as an ideal facility to be included within the Redbridge Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative.

Funding was available from New Opportunities Fund, Redbridge Primary Care Trust, Sure Start and the Standards Fund.

Obviously we needed to meet certain criteria and following numerous meetings we were successful with our application.

This has enabled our childcare placements to be increased from 39 to 70, 27 of which are children aged 3 months - 2 years.  This project was formally opened in the presence of The Mayor, Vanessa Cole and Linda Perham, M.P. on 14th February, 2004.

Main Building

In 1990 it was decided that if the Association was to move forward it needed to generate additional income.

Major refurbishment took place within the Bar area which doubled its size and offered a comfortable welcoming facility for users.

This was funded by a £100,000 unsecured Brewery loan from Greene King which has since been repaid.

This project has proved successful and with the additional sales it became inevitable that a larger beer cellar would be necessary.

An additional £15,000 was funded by the Association.

Having completed the Bar improvements it was decided to look at the Main Hall.  Initially a suspended ceiling and air duct system were installed at a cost of £10,000 met by the Association.  This gave the area a warmer effect but the flooring had passed its sell-by date.  In partnership with our landlords (LBR) a new floor was laid at a cost of £10,000.  It became apparent to our landlords, Education Services, that our Management Committee had a definite vision for the Centre's future.  To enable us to fulfil our aims and objectives the Council funded the erection of three rooms to facilitate additional activities.

These rooms are now in constant use, generating additional income but also provide ideal meeting areas for organisations such as Hainault Neighbourhood Wardens, local Police Working Party and the Children's Information Service.  We do not charge the first two bodies any rent as we see their work as an important service to the community.  The local Citizens Advice Bureau also now uses part of this area and a nominal rent only is charged because of their valued service.

The Association Development Plans have always stated that new activities must be sought to ensure we 'keep up with the times'.

It is to this end that we applied for funding and planning for a U.K. Online Computer Suite.

You will be aware that the above were successful and the suite was formally opened in August 2002.  The use and success has exceeded our expectations.

It provides free access to users who would otherwise have no contact with information technology and has given people a new interest in their lives, especially senior citizens.

This activity is run in partnership with Redbridge Institute of Adult Education (RIAE), who provide the tutors for courses.

The administration, budgeting and allocation of users is dealt with by the Association's staff. 
                                                                                                                             
We must give thanks to Area 3 Committee for their valued financial support since the inception of this project.

We have a three year contract with the funding body (Government Office for London, GOL) to provide the current service which expires in August 2005.  We
shall be making arrangements with RIAE as to the facility's future use following
this date.

The additional workload on the Administrative staff, bearing in mind the extra staff and activities now within the Association, has lead to the current office being far from adequate to cope with these demands.

It is to this end that we have applied for planning permission to have a new office built with the present area being used as an extension of the Bar area.

Once planning has been accepted we will put the proposed works out to tender to obtain definite prices for funding applications.

If this project is successful I think it would be fair to say that the Association has more than fulfilled its constitutional aims and objectives over the past 18 years.

This does not mean that we can relax for the future and the Management Committee, together with the salaried staff, must always look to ways of improving our standards.

We are in the early stages of acquiring an 'Investors in People' accreditation through Business Link for Essex.  If we are successful it will provide us with the satisfaction that our business is being run in accordance with recognised standards.

All members must be aware that this is their Association and it is only successful because of individuals' efforts.  It is imperative that 'new faces' come on to both the Social Club and Association's Management Committees.

It is sometimes a thankless task but much satisfaction can be gained when you know your efforts are rewarding to many people.

I urge people to give serious consideration to becoming Committee members to ensure the future stability of the Association.

Anybody interested is welcome to have a chat with me with a view to completing a nomination form for the forthcoming election of Committee members in June 2004.

Mick Willis
Centre Organiser                                              April 2004

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