Welfare club needs to raise thousands for new roof

A welfare club for older people needs to raise up to £70,000 to replace its decaying roof.

Evergreen Club in Allestree, Derby, has been running since 1960 but custodians are concerned a serious weather event could lead to closure.

The club provides a range of activities each day to support older people along with combating social isolation.

Chairman John Young said: "Every time there is a gale, we often wonder how many of the panels have come off."

The club has 140 members and provides a range of classes and activities.

It offers book clubs, craft sessions, tea dances, snooker and indoor bowls as well as hiring out the hall to members of the public.

"For some people in this age group coming here may be the only time in the week they get out to see other people and enjoy the company of others," Mr Young added.

"It's an important service we provide for people... we need to sort it."

Mr Young said the state of the roof means the centre is at risk of closing if steps are not taken to replace it.

"The roof is beginning to leak and deteriorate and we need to replace it, it really is at the end of its life," Mr Young said.

"Every time there is a gale, we often wonder how many of the panels have come off and every time it rains we know the water will come in - and the internal ceiling gets soggy and it could collapse.

"If something bad were to happen, we would have to close down until it got replaced so we're trying to get ahead of a bigger problem."

The club is trying to raise at least £60,000 and has managed to raise some money so far, but officials are looking at different ways to bring in funds for the repair, as it does not receive grants.

The club is putting on an afternoon tea with Victorian cosplay entertainer Baroness Bolsover next month in a bid to raise some cash.

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