More on the Village Hall loo opening!!

You will see my previous blog with photos of the opening here - this blog post has more from the 'official photographers' plus the official press release from Alan Tomlinson and his great toilet-opening speech!

Over seventy villagers anxiously waited cross legged outside the village hall to witness the official opening ceremony of the new toilet block last Saturday.

First the press release for the Randwick Runner:

Over the last 16 months over £22,000 has been raised for the ambitious project -c omprising a children’s toilet, disabled access toilet and referee’s changing room with shower. In his opening speech Mayor Tomlinson paid tribute to the on going enthusiasm for the hall from the village, acknowledging over £6,000 had been donated from with in the community. Also acknowledged were donations from charities outside of the village who share our community values. Theses include the Summerfield Trust, the Bernard Stanley Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Stroud Lions Club, the Langtree Trust, Barnwood House and most notably Gloucestershire Environmental Trust on behalf of Cory Environmental using landfill tax credits who contributed an extremely generous £8,000. Randwick Parish Council also continue to donate £3,000 per year to the hall.

Val and Harden Flack were given a special mention for their tireless work. Mayor Tomo said: "Despite all good intentions no project goes anywhere without the shakers and movers. We are particularly blessed on the village hall committee to have Team Flack. Harden is always here giving his support, on call at a moments notice if we need him to meet contractors, help sort out problems, for advice and general support. And behind every great man there is a great woman. This is absolutely true. Val put her hand up for this project, has raised all the money from outside bodies as well as managing the project. She has been the driving force and I can tell you this has been no mean feat."

Val was then presented with a crystal rose bowl engraved “Presented to Val Flack for an outstanding contribution to the village of Randwick 2009”

Tony Williams was then asked to cut the ribbon. He amused the crowd with his comment: “Not only can I now use the loo at the hall but I can have a shower at the same time”.

Tony, followed by other wheelchair bound villagers, Vic Watkins and Aunty Margaret then led the onlookers into the hall where Brain Farrer had displayed some photos of the old toilets – as if anyone could forget them! Ladies of the village Jane Cant, Sue Tomlinson and Joy Kennard had prepared some delicious cakes for everyone to share and quite few offered to help in the kitchen making tea. Everyone had a wonderful time and £62 was collected towards the Haiti Earthquake appeal. Well done Randwick you have excelled yourselves yet again!

Alan Tomlinson's loo-opening speech

Open day speech 11am Sat 23rd January 2010

It seems like no time since we all stood here and Val asked for a few pennies towards the next phase of the village hall development plan - a new toilet block complete with a childrens toilet, disabled access toilet and ref s changing room with shower . In fact that was just 16 months ago. What an amazing achievement to raise enough money in just 9 months and then go on to deliver a workable scheme in the following 7 months.

What has been particularly inspiring, although perhaps not surprising knowing this village and its community, is the amount of local support. Every single village organisation has made a contribution in some way.

Looking back through the records the enthusiasm for the hall is as strong today as it has been throughout its entire history. Back in 1946 it took 3 years to raise the equivalent of £18K to purchase the playing field. Between 1957 and 1962 todays equivalent of £30K was raised for the current building.

And today it seems not a week goes by without a contribution being given by an individual. Only last week we received £235 from one villager's birthday collection. It is pleasing to know how strongly this resource is valued in the village and this is the inspiration to keep developing it for such a deserving and appreciative bunch of people. The community alone has donated over £6000 in the past 16 months -all this without any prompting -and money is still coming in!

In addition to local contributions we have received donations from a number of organisations outside the village who share our community values. These include

summerfield trust
Bernard Stanley foundaion
garfield weston foundation
lions club
langtree trust
barnwood house

And most notably
GET on behalf of Cory environmental who alone donated £8000 using landfill tax credits

Also we need to thank RPC for their on going commitment to the village, contributing £3000 per year for development of the hall.

But it takes more than money to make things happen. Thanks go to Roger Dean builders and in particular Gary Taylor who did a lot of the work, patiently working with organisations such as Playgroup to minimise any disruption. I know it was testing for all at times but worth it I'm sure you will agree.

Despite all good intentions no project goes anywhere without the shakers and movers. We are particularly blessed on the VH Co to have Team Flack. Harden is always here giving his support, on call at a moments notice if we need him to meet contractors, help sort out problems, for advice and general support.

Behind every great man there is a great woman. And this is absolutely true. Val put her hand up for this project, has raised all the money from outside bodies as well as managing the project. She has been the driving force and I can tell you this has been no mean feat.

In recognition of Val's efforts we have a little presentation for her. So if you would like to step forward Val, I am sure you have a few words to say........

PRESENTATION

And now I would like to ask Tony Williams to officially open our new toilet block.

CUT RIBBON