Spruce-up day for landmark Telford building
A landmark building that was saved from the bulldozer has been given a spruce-up as part of a day of action.
The former Gower Street Youth Club in Telford had been due to be knocked down to make way for development.
But the building's future was secured after a campaign – and yesterday 25 people turned out to give the area a clean-up.
The day was organised by the Gower Heritage and Enterprise Group and attended by Alan Maddy, the mayor of Oakengates and mayoress Louraine Maddy.
Stephen Handley, a member of the heritage group, said: "
As well as the mayor and mayoress, we were also joined by June Walker, community life champion at Asda Donnington Wood and members of staff from that store."
The Gower Heritage and Enterprise Group has previously completed four community clean-up days at the site as it is prepared for regeneration. The Grade-II listed Gower building in St Georges has a 140-year history that has seen it serve as a hospital, school and youth club.
But last year, after seven years of neglect, it was scheduled for demolition. Telford & Wrekin Council had reached a deal with the Wrekin Housing Trust and Lancroft Developments to build houses on the site.
But intervention by residents, ward councillors Richard Overton and John Minor and the heritage group, ensured the building remained in community use.
Now it is set to be given a £650,000 refurbishment as part of Telford & Wrekin Council's plan to regenerate the area.
Most of that money is to be spent on the Gower building itself and the plan is for it to house a range of community services and possibly some small businesses.
Local people are being asked to get involved in helping shape the building's future at a consultation event run by the council, the St Georges Partnership and the Gower Heritage and Enterprise Group. The event will take place from 10.30am to 1.30pm on April 25 at the St Georges Parish Rooms.
Mr Handley said: "There will also be a raffle launched at the consultation event to raise money for the project.
"The raffle has a top prize of a hot-air balloon flight donated by Virgin, other prizes include a gas barbecue donated by Asda Donnington Wood."
For further information about the Gower building, its history and the heritage group visit www.gowerheritageandenterprise.com
