Pauline – Treasurer, Marion – Secretary and Janet – a welcome visitor – studying plans
The Association bustled into PRE-START PREPARATIONS a few weeks ago determined to rush headlong towards D Day 28thJuly
First, a skip, the pre-requisite for any great, spectacular, much needed, and any other adjective you can come up with re: a make-over. It was a skip that actually proved to be a self-emptying marvel. as into it went things to be chucked, and by morning – it was, empty again.
So Marion Taylor hopes someone is enjoying the large wall unit especially, which is to be replaced by a new one from Equans – thank you, thank you Equans. This will house: Policies and Precedures, fire records, manuals and service record checks. Faltec Europe of Sunderland are disposing of essential office furniture FOC to good causes and Lee has been enormously helpful. Marion, sharp as a tack, spied a TV that she snaffled too. Of course she did.. ‘It will look grand on CCA’s newly decorated wall… As my grandma used to say “Shy bairns get nowt” Quite Marion.
Books have been packed away, the bookcase has recycled from the skip. Crockery has been packed, though business is as usual for classes and groups and will remain so throughout the make-over.
D-Dayat last: the centre was not short of helpers, groups are adapting to available accomodation. The committee is more than grateful to all and for the gift of biscuits.
‘The “Shake that Boogey “ladies are queuing to sign the photo release form for Frost Magazine,’ says Marion.’They take pride in their association (but personally I think they want to appear in the Frost Magazine’ – BAD Marion says Margaret, but on flowed Marion reminding readers that: ‘Edition two of the digital magazine went viral 27th July and we are very grateful to renowned author Margaret Graham (who just happens to be the editor of the magazine) for her interest in our beloved community centre. Margaret has fond memories of her childhood days when visiting here and her mam Annie Newsome was a native so that makes Margaret a Brady Square lass at heart.’ Indeed it does.
The make-over is beginning with the restoration of the doors, all 15 (without the swing doors and the front door).
On inspection of the doors the lovely and wonderful lads thought it would be better to remove them and send them off to be dipped to remove all traces of the numerous coats of paint added over the years; no mess, no fumes and dust. ‘No doors for a couple of days’ said Marion, ‘ but what the heck as long as the loo door stays where it is…’
‘After completion of an Asbestos check of the community room flooring,‘ Marion told Frost Magazine, ‘we can start to replace our present flooring, which at the moment is half carpet and half lino . This, however, is to be replaced with beautiful Oak LVT flooring (posh or what)
Next on the agenda will be the 31-metre corridor; no mean task. The current brick-coloured tiles are dull and worn and it is believed they have been down quite some time (perhaps as old as the building) Come September there will be splendid Edwardian style black and white tyles, ‘Fit for a King. ‘ grinned Marion.
There you have it – at last the Columbia Community Associations centre make-over is underway – hooray.
Next time Frost Magazine will be having a closer look at the Fat Quarters Sewing Group and their craft,. At last Frost Magazine can get to the bottom of their name. (if one might be indelicate)
Information: Columbia Community Association Columbia uk Community Forum
Margaret Graham is the author of 30 books, + articles/short stories, a tutor of creative writing and has researched a TV documentary arising from A Canopy of Silence. She has a spepcial interest in military veterans, is patron of various charities and is Annie Newsome’s daughter (of which she is proudest).