Market Drayton club officially opens new £150,000 headquarters

An official opening ceremony took place to commemorate Market Drayton Mencap group's move into the new building on Salisbury Hill View.

The project came after years spent in an old building which had begun to fall apart.

More than 50 local dignitaries, donors and club members with their families attended the occasion on Saturday, with the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Sir Algernon Heber-Percy, undertaking the formal duty of unveiling the official plaque commemorating the opening.

Market Drayton Mencap’s chairman, Steve Glover, opened the formalities by thanking all those who had contributed to the project.

Spokesman Richard Walton said: "Fundraising has been under way for over four years to replace the old demountable building which was literally on its last legs.

"Work on the new building started in February 2016 and the club has been operating from it since December last year.

"Thanks were expressed to the major donors, which included two substantial personal legacies which were left to the club.

"These were added to by significant donations from the Drayton Action For Health Trust, the Jean Jackson Trust and the Walker Trust. Severn Trent Water have also contributed by granting a long-term lease on the land which is occupied by the building.

"Among those attending included representatives of all three of the contributing trusts. The newly-installed mayor of Market Drayton, Matthew Erwin, was also present as were representatives from Market Drayton British Legion and Lions Clubs, all of whom have been supportive of Mencap over the years.

"The event provided an opportunity for all those who have been involved in working on the project or supporting it financially to meet with the members who use the facility.

"Sir Algernon certainly enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with the members and stayed for a long time after his official duties had been completed, meeting with volunteers, donors and Members alike."

Mr Walton said since the new building has been in operation, club membership has swelled with over 50 members, carers and volunteers regularly attending the Saturday afternoon sessions.

"The need now is to expand the volunteer network, as the demand from local people with learning disabilities is clearly there and can only be satisfied if more volunteers step forward.

"In terms of the building itself, this is basically complete, but much work still needs to be done to landscape the ground at the rear of the building and to tarmac the car park at the front, so fundraising to meet these challenges continues," Mr Walton added.