Community focal point marks 50 years with birthday bash

A PARTY will celebrate the 50th anniversary of a building that has become an integral part of the community.

Brinnington Community Centre, on Hereford Road, will mark the milestone on July 5 with an event from 1pm to 4.30pm.

On the day there will be a live singer, games, a buffet, balloon modelling, face painting and a Punch and Judy show.

The centre was unveiled on October 26 1965 as a home for the Brinnington Community Association, who still use it as a base.

The group had formed in the 1950s as the Brinnington estate sprung up to give people, initially those from the Manor Road area, a chance to meet.

Originally they used the ‘ Black Hut’, which stood on what is now Brinnington Health Centre’s car park.

It was an old US Army base from World War II but developed a leaking roof and this meant bingo was often played while umbrellas were held up.

The hut was knocked down when the centre opened.

Since then the centre has become one of the community’s focal points hosting regular coffee mornings as well as groups for bingo, crafts, bowling and children’s dance.

The Wednesday night bingo and children’s dance groups have been running since 1965.

Sue Clare, from the centre, said: “For the whole of the 50 years Brinnington Community Centre has been run by volunteers, mostly from the local community.

“It is still a busy building and a big part of the community as well as a big asset to Brinnington.

“The centre caters for every age group and the party will be a great event to celebrate five decades of an important part of Brinnington.”

Anyone interested in attending the party can contact Maureen Dalton on 07581 492078.

The centre is also looking for new members at its tai- chi group.

It takes place on Thursdays from 10.30 to 11.30am. Each session is £ 1. It is part of Life Leisure’s I Wish I’d Tried programme.