NEWS FEED
Local community and charitable support saves the Barrington in Ferndown
The Barrington Centre opened this morning following the overwhelming support and generous donations from the Ferndown community.
The centre had to shut it doors last Friday after the Ferndown Community Association (FCA) announced it was insolvent. But the public’s show of desire to save the heart of its community has resulted in a major local charity, Prama, stepping in to offer financial support to the Ferndown Community Association (FCA) to take The Barrington Centre forward.
Following discussions with Prama at a special meeting of the FCA on Thursday 26 January, Prama has agreed to underwrite the operating costs of the centre and retain the staff. The FCA committee voted unanimously to accept the Prama offer as it will allow the centre to maintain its identity as part of the Ferndown community and see the much-loved services continue.
Steve Robinson, Chief Executive of Prama said, ”I am delighted that, as a local charity itself, Prama is able to be a part of the community of Ferndown and facilitate this wonderful centre’s future. I would like to assure everybody who has made a donation or supported the Barrington Centre through this difficult time, that all donations will be ring-fenced and used for the purpose they were given in securing the future for the centre.”
Kathleen Taylor, Chairman of the FCA stated, “The FCA are thrilled that, with the support of Prama, we are able to reopen the Barrington centre and Raffles Café to the public, and to enable our tenants, Ferndown Town Council, the Community Support Police and Neighbourhood Watch to continue to provide their much need public services.”
General Manager of the Barrington, Andy Bryant said today, “It was the donations that have been received from the community and the incredible support out there that attracted a major charity to offer funding. I cannot thank everybody enough.”
Over £15,000 had been pledged to the Barrington within days of a crowdfunding page being initiated.
Andy Bryant added, “All tickets purchased will be honoured, coach trips scheduled and activity clubs will be reinstated, but we would advise you to contact your group leaders initially.”
