50th Anniversary of WCA

WINGRAVE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Celebrates its

50th ANNIVERSARY

On 26th February 1973, the Association was formally established at a public meeting in the Temperance Hall. A Constitution was adopted with the object of “promoting the benefit of the inhabitants of Wingrave and the neighbourhood”. Officers and a Steering Committee were elected pending an AGM to be held on 30th April 1973.

Background

  1. The population of Wingrave and Rowsham was expanding rapidly. Between 1951 and 1991, it increased by 86%.
  2. Wingrave Primary School in Church Street was no longer large enough to accommodate not only the children of Wingrave and Rowsham but also those bussed in from Aston Abbotts and Cublington, when their old village schools were closed. A new school was being built in Twelve Leys.
  3. In 1972, ownership of the Temperance Hall, a wooden building with iron cladding in Winslow Road near Nup End, had been gifted to the Parish Council. The Hall had served as the village hall since 1891 but it was now at the end of its useful life and the site was too small for a suitable replacement building.
  4. The threat of a Third London Airport had been lifted (temporarily) and the staging of a Pageant of the history of the village involving 170 participants had identified a strong community spirit amongst both long-time residents and newcomers.

Opportunity

  1. Leslie Roberts, who had been a Parish Councillor since 1952, obtained the unanimous approval of the Council to propose that the old School, once vacated, become a new centrally-located Village Hall/Community Centre.
  2. The Council informally established “Wingrave Community Association“and installed Leslie as Chairman. Extremely well-attended public meetings were held and it became clear that the initiative was warmly welcomed and that there was real enthusiasm to set up new groups if suitable premises could be obtained.
  3. It was appreciated that there was a significant distinction between “a Village Hall Association” (“VHA”) and “a Community Association” (“WCA”). Specialist speakers had addressed public meetings in late 1972. It was explained that a VHA would receive bookings and manage the Hall without any duty or responsibility to organise activities, whereas WCA would be far more proactive and both organise activities itself and also encourage and help local clubs and societies to do so.
  4. There was a clear preference to form WCA, but it was decided to test public opinion by a referendum which took place in January 1973. The results were remarkable. Responses had been received from 96% of the 324 houses canvassed. A total of 565 out of 587 people had stated that they were in favour of a self-supporting WCA. No fewer than 128 people (20%) were prepared to help run it and 481 people (79%0 wished to become members.
  5. Leslie Roberts, whose day job was County Consumer Protection Officer, began informal discussions with the Chief Education Officer and the Oxford Diocesan Board

about the future use of the old School.  

Challenges

  1. The euphoria arising from the formal creation of WCA on 26th February 1973 was short-lived.
  2. On 6th March 1973, agents for the Trustees* of the School applied to Wing Rural District Council for planning permission to “demolish the existing school buildings and to erect 5 terraced dwellings with garages” on the site in Church Street.
  3. The School was in the ownership of the Church and title was held in the names of various Trustees, namely the Vicar and Churchwardens and a representative of the Oxford Diocesan Board. It is clear that the planning application was at the initiative of the Board, and that the Vicar and Churchwardens were perfectly happy for the School to become a Community Centre.
  4. The response from both Wingrave Parish Council and the Community Association was both very strong and immediate. Both objected on grounds which included:
  5. The centre of the village around the Parish Church had been designated as a Conservation Area,
  6. The School was not architecturally distinguished but its proposed use as a Community Centre and focal point for village activity was much more appropriate.
  7. The overwhelming results of the referendum reflecting the clear wishes of the people of Wingrave.
  8. In the meantime, WCA was registered as a charity and affiliated to the National Federation of Community Associations.
  9. On 7th April 1973, WCA applied to Wing RDC for permission for “the change of use from a school building to a community centre for the benefit of the inhabitants of Wingrave.”

Success!

  1. On 7th June 1973, Wing RDC refused permission for residential development of the School site.
  2. But Hurrah! On the same date, Wing RDC gave permission for the change of use of the School to a Community Centre.
  3. Ownership of the old School passed to Bucks County Council and eventually WCA was offered a lease for a period of 60 years on a full repairing basis at the yearly rent of £125 without scope for any uplift.
  4. WCA took possession of the Community Centre on 1st November 1974 and the lease took effect from that date.

What has transpired since is another story. Pat Roberts, Leslie’s widow, looks back at what has been achieved: “The Centre exists to serve the community offering an attractive venue and the Association is open to requests and ideas from members or groups. We are grateful to everyone-past and present- involved in maintaining this special organisation at the heart of our village. Long may it continue!”

Richard Keighley (Secretary of WCA from 1972… and later too)