Community Hub Closure

A statement from the Chair of Cheswardine Parish Council regarding the Community Hub.

Dear Residents,

We are aware of the recent online comments surrounding the closure of the hub and would like to clarify why such an immediate decision needed to be taken.

We had received feedback from the local volunteers about the amount and quantity of items being left by people, including from outside the parish. This had escalated in recent weeks, and they advised it was no longer sustainable for them to support. There have been recent instances of inappropriate DVDs, knives and broken glass being left. All these items being just down the road from the village school and frequented by our parish children. Simply put this decision had to be taken for safeguarding reasons for our junior residents.

Our aim is to make the closure a temporary one and reintroduce it in the future, most likely returning it to its original function of a book exchange and notice area which was much valued by our residents. We will listen to the community and hub volunteers to make sure that the hub is appropriate and sustainable. In the meantime, if you have quality items to donate there are Facebook groups which you can use to publicise and local charity shops and charity bins (e.g. in Market Drayton and Newport).

We have observed the singling out of some individual Parish Councillors online and this is unacceptable and will be reported to the appropriate bodies if it continues. Feedback to your Parish Council should be via the Clerk as per our website and Facebook pages. In addition, you are of course always welcome to represent your views within the Public Participation periods of Parish Council meetings which are open to all. Our Parish Councillors work hard for the betterment of our community, and I trust that you understand why we had to take a strong action in this case for the safeguarding of our young residents.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Andrew Thomson

(Chair, Cheswardine Parish Council)

18th May 2025