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Claus comes out in protest

Bethan Dorsett
8/12/2007

FATHER Christmas is the latest to join the fight to save Syke Community Base.

Following news that the centre is facing the axe due to a funding cut, several angry pensioners gathered at the nearby Donkey pub to make their feelings clear.

The get-together was initially meant to be a happy Christmas celebration for the Golden Guys and Girls, the base‘s popular over-50s group, often referred to as the G-Club.

But members were keen to make a stand so they came armed with banners and pretty soon their special guest was joining their cause.

Councillor Elwyn Watkins, who was among the attendees, said: “There were between 40 and 50 militant pensioners at the party. Santa was also asked to hold a placard.”

“They are now planning to bring the protest to the next meeting of the Rochdale Township committee on 9 December.

“There could be about 200 to 300 people there, with many planning to stand outside with their signs before the meeting.”

Officials of the Fieldhouse Industrial Estate base was told last week that the centre could face closure because theannual £60,000  funding it receives from the government each year will end in April.

The base needs at least £24,000 to pay the rent. The proposal would signal the end of the centre and the local area forum, coupled with the loss of 10 part-time jobs and groups..

Mohammad Naeem, chairman of Pride Partnership said: “The Pride Partnership is dealing with considerable changes in the way funding is allocated to priorities in the borough.

“This task is made harder by the fact that funding beyond 2007/08 has not yet been confirmed by the governmen.

“This is a difficult time for a wide number of projects.

“The partnership is taking forward a whole review based on a consistent and fair process.

“Difficult decisions will need to be taken and the process has to be made on an objective basis.” 

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