A Bermondsey-based community hall has gone ‘from strength to strength’ after being saved from closure by one TRA member and a group of scouts.
Magdalen Hall was being run by residents of the Purbrook, St Saviours and Aylwin Estates – but its future looked bleak after all but one member of the TRA stepped down.
It looked as if no one would carry on the baton for the hall on Purbrook Street, and with no hall to practice in, the Bermondsey scouts were to be left without a home.
Given that the association covered 760 homes, the only remaining member, Kyle Simmons, was determined not to let it be lost.
“With the scouts, we started flyering around the estate,” Kyle told us. He said thanks to the article published by the News and their campaign – the hall was saved.
He added that the new chair, Zoey Sergeant, also helped gather support for the hall to remain open.
Kyle continued: “There was a massive turnout for the meeting – I got voted in as treasurer.”
He said they’ve gone from one team member to fourteen.
“It’s gone from strength to strength. The scouts are still using it on their Wednesdays and we now have a community bar and hold regular events for everyone, including a coffee morning for over 55s.”
Since taking it over seven months ago, Kyle said they’ve upgraded the garden, lighting and all the technical equipment.
“We have also put policies and procedures in place to ensure the viability and security of the hall.”
“It’s lifted the mood. People are way more engaged than they were, and we’re generating a good stream of income which we put back into the community.”
A hall means there’s somewhere for the hundreds of estate residents to raise their concerns. “
“We’ve done a lot of work with the council as a result of having somewhere to meet,” Kyle added.
For hall enquiries please contact Kyle.