MARION SAUVEBOIS finds out about a very social centre

FROM craft days and children’s activities to mini festivals, a band of dedicated volunteers has turned Savernake Street Social Hall into a vibrant community hub in just a few months.

Since taking over the venue in May, Eastcott Community Organisation has had a clear goal: to entertain families and offer anyone in the neighbourhood a welcoming place to meet and socialise.

Stopping at nothing to make the hall the pride of the Eastcott neighbourhood, the group entered a competition to have the building swept, scrubbed and scoured by Kärcher over the summer.

This heralded a fresh start for the Savernake Street Social Hall.

“We took over community management of the hall in May, and are looking to increase the number of groups and individuals using it,” said committee chairman Caroline Davies-Khan.

“It’s an ideal venue for a range of community activities, meetings and children’s parties, and we’d love to hear from people who would like to view the space.

“The cleaning was a transformation. It will help us move forward.

“We feel that by having the place looking its best it will help us hire out the hall.”

Among its many other activities, the group runs Tea and Chat afternoons for pensioners or residents at a loose end, as well as table-top sales and a craft club.

Savernake also plays host to the Free Shop, which attracts hundreds of avid shoppers each month.

The pop-up store welcomes 200 visitors every first Saturday of the month and has proved a popular resource to reduce waste and promote recycling.

The concept is simple. Customers are invited to hand over unwanted clothes, books, DVDs and knick-knacks, exchange them or just pick up new ones at the shop.

“We are really pleased with the level of interest that the Free Shop has generated,” added Caroline.

“It is a fantastic community initiative. Lots of people have said to us what an excellent idea it is.

“The turnover of items is very fast, and you can find something new each time. It’s a great opportunity to get together as a community and to save money by getting some pre-loved items for free.”

The Free Shop is held between noon and 2pm on the first Saturday of each month.

 To find out more about Eastcott Community Organisation, or to volunteer email eastcottcommunity@ yahoo.co.uk or pop in to the hall on Savernake Street.