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Introduction
The Centre is housed in all that remains of the Central London District
Schools, a poor law school, built in 1856 for the children of destitute
families and orphans as a place to live and learn. Its most famous pupil
was CHARLIE CHAPLIN. The School closed in
1935.
Hanwell Community Association moved into the building in 1938 and has
leased the building ever since. Because of the size of the building it
became a Municipal Community Centre in 1942 to serve the people of the
London Borough of Ealing and the surrounding area. In 1992 the Community
Association became Hanwell Community Centre Ltd, a Charitable Company
limited by guarantee when a 10year lease
was negotiated with the London Borough of Ealing.
A proposal by the London Borough of Ealing not to renew the Centre's
Lease in favour of a massive redevelopment
of some 80% of the building into luxury apartments has been resisted. The
planning application for the proposed development was called in and a local
public inquiry began on May 28th
2003 in Ealing Town
Hall and lasted 3 days.
The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, ruled against the proposed
development and Hanwell Community Centre Ltd., are seeking, under the
Landlord & Tenant Acts, to renew the lease on the same terms and
conditions as the previous lease. The Local Authority have
already stated that they do not have the
money to refurbish the building. Hanwell Community Centre Ltd is prepared
to consider either purchasing the freehold of the building for a nominal
sum or negotiate a very long lease for a peppercorn rent while it
refurbishes the building using money raised through the lottery and other
sources. In either case it considers that the Centre is too valuable a
resource to allow it to deteriorate further and, as part of its
refurbishment, plans to install a lift thereby giving people with impaired
mobility full access to the whole building.
Mission Statement
The Company is non political, non sectarian and recognises that
all people are equal regardless of colour, creed or sexuality. Our aim is
to serve the recreational and educational needs of people living, working
and visiting the Borough of Ealing at affordable costs as part of our
policy to improve the quality of life, regardless of age.
We endeavour to assist local schools to
buy books and equipment.
Location
Situated in the middle of the Cuckoo Estate and almost dead centre of
the London Borough of Ealing and it is a large and significant resource for
the all that live, work or visit the Borough.
Address
Westcott Crescent, Hanwell W7 1PD
Phone/fax 020 8578 2586
Email: hanwellcomcentre@btconnect.com
For a Map click here
Facilities
The Centre car park has spaces for 50 cars in front of the building as
well as four cycle parking rails.
The Basement is used for pottery, upholstery, scenery production for
amateur operatic society and drama groups. It is also the base of the
8th Hanwell Auxiliaries, ex Rover Scouts who look after the camp
site used by local scouts. Part of their Den is a consecrated chapel.
Ground floor has 8 small rooms used for offices, classrooms,
meeting rooms and councillors surgeries. One large room used as a classroom
and for meetings. A large sports area (125x50ft) for 5 aside football and
basketball, changing rooms and showers for both sexes.
First floor contains a large hall with 4 badminton courts, 2
meeting rooms (30x15ft) and the area offices of the teaching unions NASUWT
and NUT and the Centre's admin. office.
The second floor has seven rooms used for educational purposes.
The third floor is used for boxing, judo and an art studio.
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