Star date: 18th September 2019

ELDERLY PEOPLE POWER FORCES SALFORD COUNCIL TO DO U-TURN ON BODDAN LODGE CLOSURE

After a petition signed by thousands of people, plus a big protest outside the Civic Centre, Salford Council has announced a U-turn in its plans to axe the lease for Boddan Lodge Over 60s Club in Monton by the end of this year.

The Council has now extended the lease by three years, after which the Club is expected to be self-sufficient..."We are extremely pleased we've got this extension to remain" says Roy Zammit, Club Chair.

Full details here...

In July, elderly members and supporters of Boddan Lodge Over 60s Club protested outside the Civic Centre as Salford City Council stated its intention to axe its meagre £15,000 subsidy which would have seen the fifty year old Club close.

Boddan Lodge members played bowls on the Council lawn and line danced on the pavements, as Club chair Roy Zammit told demonstrators, "Let's give them hell and get in their faces and show them what we're about..."

At a stormy full Council meeting that followed the protest, Councillor David Lancaster, the Lead Member responsible for the proposed cut, was told that a 'rescue' business plan drawn up by local councillors was "borderline ludicrous" (see previous Salford Star article – click here)

Since then, there have been meetings between Salford Council officers, the Monton Unitarian Church, which owns the land that the Council leases, and the Club, which has resulted in a U-turn on the axe.

Last night, Salford Council announced, without apparently informing the Club, that "It has agreed a three year extension to give the group time to draw up a new business plan, diversify its membership, apply for further funding and get into a secure financial position. After three years the group will take on the lease with the church."

This decision and the details are nowhere to be found on Salford Council's website, and the last publicised meeting of the Lead Member for Environment and Community Safety Briefing, which covers Boddan Lodge, was back in May...

Yet last night, Councillor David Lancaster, Lead Member for Environment and Community Safety, decreed; "No-one wanted to see the group close because we all recognise the valuable work they do in keeping people active and involved in their community...

"I am pleased that we have reached an agreement for the next three years" he added "The Council will maintain the lease but the group will contribute more towards the running costs of this building through opening it up to a wider range of community groups, slightly increasing its membership fees and seeking funding from other sources. I am also grateful to Monton Unitarian Church for reducing the rent to help the group."

Roy Zammit, Club Chair, told the Salford Star: "We are extremely pleased we've got this extension to remain. We'd like to thank everyone for your help, support, signing our petition and joining our demonstration at the town hall which made a great, great impact."

Boddan Lodge is now embarking on a promotional campaign to attract new members, as part of an Ambition For Ageing and National Lottery funded project with Mary Burns Community Group (parent company of the Salford Star) and the Broughton Trust. This has already seen a new banner outside its building on Monton Green, and a short promotional video, starring members with Nigel Pivaro – click here to see it.

For more details on Boddan Lodge and how to join, see the Facebook page Boddan Lodge, phone 0161 460 0887 or call in to the Club on Monton Green which is open for activities six days a week