Bridgend Centre’s 25th Anniversary

It’s been 25 years since Ann Mayer and Anna-Lena Johnson first opened the doors of the Bridgend Centre in Bollington.

Saturday was a celebration of those 25 years – and also marked Ann’s well-earned retirement.

An afternoon garden party and fete was attended by hundreds of well-wishers – many regular users of the centre’s services.

On Saturday evening Poynton classical guitarist Richard Roberts kicked off proceedings with a jaw-dropping virtuoso performance.

John Orpheous and Helena Rainbow – Orpheous and The Rainbow – took the centre spot.

Finally the man that everyone had come to see.

Though I’d heard of George Borowski for many years – I’d only recently seen him perform. I now understand why he commands such respect – both locally and nationally.

Not just a tremendous singer, guitarist and entertainer – but a genuinely all-round nice guy.

Accompanied by keyboard player Paul Hambley, with an audience behind them all the way, they gave a stellar performance – that ended with a somewhat emotional thanks and farewell to Ann.

This was a truly wonderful and appropriate celebration of a remarkable 25 years of the Bridgend Centre.

Editors Note: Ann recognised a need in the town for a warm and friendly place where people could drop in and feel that they belong in the community. The idea was a Drop-in centre that would be inclusive of everyone regardless of age, disability, racial background, or gender. They persuaded the Town Council to let them have the use of one room in Bollington Town Hall – where people could pop in for a hot drink, a chat or do one of the growing programme of activities. It proved so successful that they soon took over another room – and also the basement of the building. This room was used as a workshop, for people with disabilities to create woodcraft products, which were sold and the proceeds contributed to the running costs of the Centre.

Ten years later, the organisation had become too big for the town hall so Ann found premises at the current site on Palmerston Street. The building – a former motorcycle repair shop – had been empty for six years, was almost derelict, and needed complete renovation. Ann headed the renovation on a shoestring budget utilising the skills of many volunteers – persuading the Macclesfield probation office to provide additional skills and manpower – and also obtained donations of windows, furniture, carpets and paint from local businesses.

The building is now home to a thriving community with a large charity shop, communal kitchen and seating area, IT centre, two meeting rooms that are in constant use by various groups and a large workshop. There are weekly educational and health related activities. On average 74 people visit the centre every day.

Full details of The Bridgend Centre can be found at http://www.bridgendcentre.org.uk