By Sarah Robinson

Published at 12:14, Thursday, 21 March 2013

VITAL funds to restructure Thornhill Social Club’s roof have been secured thanks to a generous donation from a county councillor.

Raising the roof: Gillian Hewitson, the treasurer of Thornhill Social Club, is presented with £4,000 towards the club's new roof from Norman Clarkson

Coun Norman Clarkson has given the club a £4,000 grant from Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Copeland for the project.

It has helped towards the £20,500 project, as a further £16,000 has been secured through third party funding and only £500 needs to be raised so work can start.

Gill Hewitson, club treasurer, said: “Norman Clarkson is one of the loveliest, most generous and supportive councillors you could wish for. If it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have been able to secure third party funding. It’s not just Norman – it’s his whole team – they have offered us advice and guidance about what funding is available and how to apply for it.”

She said the transformation of the social club is a real community effort with local businesses, club users and the county council working together to ensure the work is carried out.

Over the last few years, the social club, on The Crescent, has had a newly decorated bar, new kitchen, which Coun Clarkson helped to provide funding for, and there are plans for new toilets.

Urgent work was carried out in the summer to repair the leaking roof and money that was set aside for the new toilets was used to pay for the repairs. The club has been told that major restructuring work needs to be carried out on the roof to prevent further problems in the future.

“If we didn’t have the Thornhill Social Club on the estate we wouldn’t have a hub for the community. It’s so important that it keeps running,” Mrs Hewitson added.

Coun Clarkson, for Gosforth and Ennerdale, said: “With the money that I have from the scheme I have concentrated on the community hubs in my locality. So many people, young and old, use the Thornhill Social Club, I want to give them any help I can.”

Local funders, including the Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust, are contributing to the project.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk