Shrewsbury community centre to be renamed after Eileen Sandford

A Shrewsbury community centre which former town mayor Eileen Sandford MBE helped to get built is to be renamed in her honour.

Mrs Sandford, who died on May 5, was one of the driving forces behind the Harlescott Community Centre and helped to get it created in Kynaston Road in 1990 after £20,000 was raised by residents.

Now it is to be renamed the Eileen Sandford Community Centre with a party and ceremony to be held on Saturday to mark the change.

Centre chairman Philip Sandford, who is no relation to Mrs Sandford, said: "It's Eileen's input that got the centre built and about £20,000 was raised by the community.

"It is one of the only venues of its kind in Shrewsbury that is owned by and run by the community. Eileen did a lot for the community centre and the wider community over many years and she was president of the community centre from when it opened until she died."

Mrs Sandford was granted the title of Mayor of Shrewsbury and Atcham in 2003 and was awarded the MBE by the Queen in 2004.

During her year in office, when she was aged 80, she is fondly remembered for taking part in a number of energetic stunts for charity including abseiling down the 120ft Lord Hill's Column in Shrewsbury and water-skiing.

The fun day will be held from 10am onwards on Saturday while the centre's annual general meeting will be held at 7pm on September 14.