Leisure Club at Highbury New Park Day Centre – Final Goodbye?
Published: 22nd April, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
ONE of the borough’s oldest and best-known clubs for the elderly and disabled faces closure after more than 60 years, a victim of cuts to Islington Council’s bus transport.
There were hugs and a few tears when members said what was expected to be a final goodbye at Monday night’s meeting of the Leisure Club at Highbury New Park Day Centre.
Now only a last-minute offer of a £10,000 grant or possible voluntary help will save the organisation from closing down for good.
The club has been forced to close because the council claims it can no longer afford to run for free two specially equipped buses that bring members to and from the day centre.
Former Lib Dem Mayor of Islington Doreen Scott, 75, who uses a wheelchair, has been attending the club since she was a teenager.
She said: “Members are heartbroken. We’ve all made friends and been together for a long time. It seems so unfair.”
Chairman Geoff Bacon, 84, has been a member for more than 50 years.
He said: “The council say the only way they could offer us bus transport would be to charge us £50 an hour a vehicle for the night plus extra for escorts. We obviously can’t afford it.”
Mr Bacon added: “We’re investigating other possible transport. So far we’ve found nothing that we could afford. There’s the dial-a-ride service but they are not always available at the times we would need them.”