The Core is a new community facility at Orchard Park school paid for by council grant funding. As a member of the Council’s Communities committee I helped agree grant funding criteria for a pot of money. Ensuring that the money delivered significant community benefit, offered good value for money and was a credible proposal were top of our list.
As councillor I alerted local groups to this funding and worked closely with the head of Orchard Park community school who had an underused space and a vision to develop it into a room for the benefit of the community. The grant application submitted by the school was fantastic and got the highest score of any application which was a moment of quiet local pride.
It’s taken 12 months to develop the space but I was thrilled to be invited to the formal opening of the room at the start of the year. The new space creates a massive benefit for Orchard Park. The cosy intimate nature of the space is ideal for mother and child groups, language classes or even a birthday party just metres away from Orchard Park’s sports ground and one of the playgrounds.
Ros Hathorn's campaign 