Sometime last year (2007) we realised that when we invited people to come along to our club in picturesque North Devon, a typical response would probably be something along the lines of “ I couldn’t possibly climb all those stairs”. It was true.
Firstly our building is located half way up the High Street, which in itself is quite a steep climb, only to arrive at the main entrance and to be confronted by 3 flights of stairs up to the 1st floor which is where the main club-room, currently being run on our behalf as the Night Owls Club. Then there are another 2 flights of stairs up to the W.C.’s and the Committee Room area.
Realising that our membership was getting thinner and older by the day, it was decided by a show of hands at one of our monthly meetings, to apply for a grant through the National Lottery ‘Awards for All’ scheme, in order to fund the installation of some stair-lifts to make access easier to all parts of the building.
I am delighted to say that our application was successful and the stair-lifts have been a talking point of every-one who comes to the club. I would say to anyone who has thought about getting funding for a project, to apply to the Big Lottery Fund. O.K., so it takes a bit of form filling and a little scratching of the old grey matter, but the results are worthwhile.
G.P.G. |
