Pleas to reopen community centre appear to "fall on deaf ears" as pensioners go a fourth week without meals

PENSIONERS locked out of Oughtrington Community Centre following a fallout between Trustees and volunteers have gone a fourth week without meals after appeals to re-open the twice-weekly events appear to have “fallen on deaf ears.”

Since Warrington-Worldwide broke the news that members of the Oungtrington Luncheon Club had been locked out of the premises, after locks were changed, more than 100 local residents have now applied to become members of the community Centre, which has housed the volunteer-led luncheon club for almost 40 years.

The fall-out followed a call from Community Centre Chair of Trustee Paul Gibson, demanding volunteers hand over their funds and vacate the premises, so the community centre could take on the running of the luncheon club. Mr Gibson stated rising running costs as a reason for the decision.

Since the fall out local Cllr Ian Marks and Warrington South MP Andy Carter have joined forces and had a meeting with Mr Gibson in a bid to resolve the issue. It is understood a complaint has now been made to the Charity Commission to investigate, while Trustees have instructed solicitors to represent their interests.
The Luncheon club has around 20 members, some suffering from dementia. Family members have taken to social media to express concerns about the situation which has left many of the members upset and distressed.

In a statement on behalf of the Luncheon Club, volunteer Derek Ridpath said: “The Save Oughtrington Luncheon Club Action Group can only, yet again, express our disappointment and concerns at the ongoing situation.
All our attempts and those of others on our behalf, to find a solution and enable the re-opening of Luncheon Club have ‘fallen on deaf ears’.
“We understand that attempts by Andy Carter MP and Lymm Parish Councillor Ian Marks to arrange another meeting to discuss the situation further have equally been ignored by all 3 trustees.
“The only people suffering are the Luncheon Club clients who have now had 4 weeks not being able to get out and enjoy a hot meal and more importantly each other’s company.
“We can only hope the trustees will soon respond in a positive way and Luncheon Club service can resume sooner rather than later.”
Mr Gibson has twice visited Warrington-Worldwide’s offices and dropped off various correspondence but has so far failed to respond to emails appealing to re-open the premises for the luncheon club until a solution to the ongoing fall-out can be resolved.

Members of Lymm Parish Council are meeting next Tuesday to discuss the situation and will consider taking up a option to co-opt an elected member onto the board of Trustees.