MP backs people power at community centre

9 December 2009

Don Valley MP Caroline Flint has backed a decision by local residents to take over and manage their own community centre.

Faced with funding problems, the management committee of the Elm Green Community Centre has decided to take the centre over on a long lease from Doncaster Council.

Ms Flint called in to the centre this week to meet residents and volunteers.

Said Caroline: "Elm Green is nearly one hundred years old, but it is top of the pops in the popularity stakes. I am right behind residents' desire to run it themselves and I wish them every success."

Said Chair of the community centre, John Mills: "Caroline and the local councillors are always welcome at Elm Green. The centre has big plans to modernise and keep this centre running, right in the heart of Conisbrough. Our aspiration is to have a fully refurbished centre by the time of our centenary in 2012."

Praising the volunteers Caroline said: "The team that run this centre are full of energy. They show week in week out, that it is not the building that matters; it is the heart of the people who run it. This is a very welcoming centre - and they make a nice cup of tea."