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We could lose the £2million centre for good......

The sorry saga of the Spitfire Leisuredrome took yet another turn last week, and just when it looked like the decrepit old building would soon be sold. In steps Cllr Peter Smith, who has never made any secret of his support for the Leisuredrome, and calls in the plans.

I was told that Shepway officers had, after 6months of delays come down in favour of the plans for the site which the Parish Council, of which Cllr Smith is a member, were hoping to sell with planning permission. They will now have to go before Shepway's development control committee, although I have been informed that committee member, Cllr Smith will be unable to take part in the debate because of an interest in the building. 

The Leisuredrome has been unused for years except for the building of  Hawkinge Harry, the village giant and the construction of Cllr Smith's ill fated replica of HMS Victory built to celebrate the battle of Trafalgar at the Festival of the Sea last year. Unfortunately the ship developed a list during sea trials in the harbour at Folkestone and turned out to be too big to take part in the Venetian fete in Hythe. 

The future of the Leisuredrome is still far from certain, but the cash raised from the sale of the building could have been used to create a facility for the young people and benefit the village as a whole. I'm against ploughing money into the Community Centre without a business plan and a management structure in place, but the delay in selling the Leisuredrome could further exacerbate efforts to save the centre and an opportunity to create some sports amenities and a meeting place for the young people of the village may be lost. 

Talking about the Community Centre, reports are filtering out of little progress being made with the rescue bid to save the it. I feel the well meaning Parish Council group trying to turn the centre around have bitten off far more than they can chew. I wish them luck, but without the expert help from the Charity Commission I am concerned we could lose the £2million centre for good.

Thanks to the reader who brightened up this depressing week with a photograph showing an information sign at Northampton General Hospital - it reads Family planning advice - use rear entrance. It's true and I have the photograph to prove it.

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