Overview
2007 was the first full year of operation of the Centre. A rapid learning curve was therefore encountered, with lessons both good and bad being dealt with. Various activities were undertaken with a number of agencies and funders particularly in conjunction with Adult Education within the City of Coventry. The Centre manager, Angela Foran, is the main seeker of funds, and with the help of staff and volunteers has been able to ensure that the Centre has been running with enough funds.

Organisation
The John White Community Centre has a management committee of up to 20 members, this includes four officers, they being Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. The Management Committee currently meet every two months, and are supported in their deliberations by a sub-committee that considers financial, legal and personnel matters. There are currently ten paid staff four of whom are part time. The hours they work are in accordance with their contract BUT are VERY flexible as to when they work, since there is a need to cover the opening times, when needed, of 9.00am to 9.30pm Monday to Friday, and opening of the changing rooms on Saturday and Sunday, when needed. The Café, the 'Binley Pit Stop', staffed by five dedicated volunteers, became a trading company early in 2007, this enables them to make a profit. They rent the facilities of the kitchen giving the JWCC much needed income. The surplus funds they accrue will eventually be donated to the JWCC.

Thanks
As a member of the Management Committee I would like to say thank you to Angela Foran who has shown dedication to developing the Centre as a community centre. I thank all the staff for the tolerance they demonstrated when difficulties have arisen. Of cause the volunteers in the 'Pit Stop' are also to be applauded for their endeavour to open from 10.00am to 2.00pm Monday to Friday and provide rest and refreshment for police, Area Wardens, the rambling groups and those persons who seek a delicious snack or meal.

Future
Having gained a better understanding of some of the needs of the LOCAL community, activities are being organised (Where funders can be found) to address these needs. It has been noted that, where as 'The Binley Evergreens' are going from strength to strength and are self funding, that those young persons who have home responsibilities are still to be attracted to the Centre.

Request
I ask for your prayers that the John White Community Centre will continue to address the needs of the community and the individuals therein. I ask for our Lord's blessing on the endeavours of staff, volunteers and all who seek to make this Centre a living heart for the community.

Compiled by Alan T. Horton
Date: 15/04/2008

Review presented to AGM 2008

After many years of hard work by a great number of people, the dream was finally realized. The John White Community Centre finally opened its doors to the public in August 2006, and had its official opening in September 2006. No matter that it was later than expected, it was worth the wait and everyone who ever had any involvement with the project can feel proud of this community centre. The management committee feel that the centre has put the heart back in to the community, and provides a real focus for social, educational and sporting activities for Parish of Binley. It is hoped that the community will embrace what has been achieved and get involved with JWCC and ensure it is a success for many years to come. Already there are many activities and classes taking place for all age groups which are proving very successful, but these are early days and the staff are learning all the time about what is wanted in this area, so I can only see JWCC going from strength to strength.

Overview of the Annual Report 2006/7 [Webmaster]

Click here for the 2006/7 Annual Report

Click here for the 2005 Annual Report

At the A.G.M. in March 2004, John Owen was appointed as Chairman
so we now publish his report to the Binley P.C.C. ~ click below for full details

Since May 2003 we publish Greg's report to the Binley P.C.C. ~ click below for full details

PRAYER ZONE SPECIAL

There have been many exciting developments in the past couple of weeks.- European funding now seems almost certain. The JWCC (John White Community Centre) is now a registered charity (number 1095596) and Lottery funders are visiting this coming week. We need to be prepared so that when the centre opens we as a congregation are prepared to contribute fully to all the opportunities presented.

With this in mind we especially invite all Church Leaders (all PCC, Group leaders, organisers etc.) plus of cause ALL members of the congregation to join us on MONDAY 3 February from 8 - 9pm in the Church and catch-up with the latest situation . Please see Ron Browne for further information.

Updated from Church News Sheet 2 February 2003

EUROPEAN FUNDING APPROVAL
JUST AROUND THE CORNER

On January 13th officers from The John White Community Centre visited Government Office in Birmingham to discuss a bid for European funding of £650,000. While a definitive and final answer is not expected until the end of next month, the mood of the meeting was extremely positive, with government officers saying unequivocally "we like this bid" and "we want to support this project".

This support represents another important step towards the dream of realising a community centre to serve Binley and Ernesford Grange, a £1.5 million project, which St Barts has been instrumental in bringing to birth.

• Planning permission was granted in September 2002
• Various fundraising events contributed significantly to funds, while entertaining hundreds of people along the way
• Many helpful partnerships have been formed with other organisations
• The Coal Board agreed to waive a £23,000 fee for lifting restricted covenants on the land
• Council plans to develop a traffic calming scheme to support the development have been given the go ahead to proceed to the design stage

None of this is possible without prayer; and for all those who support us in this way as in more practical ways, we remain immensely grateful

Update provided by Greg Smith ~ January 2003

GENERAL MEETING

of the John White Centre will be held at St Bartholomew's School
on Tuesday 15th October at 6.45pm.

New members very welcome.

* * * GREAT NEWS * * *

25 September 2002 ~ Coventry City Council granted planning permission for The John White Centre

Greg adds that "News of funding expected from Europe by the end of October; building work hopefully to begin early in 2003".

Update provided by Greg Smith ~ 26 September 2002

• A bid for European funding of £650,000 has been submitted by the centre. A positive answer is expected. The timescale for this is about three months from the time of writing.
• Planning permission is being sought. I expect the application to be submitted within a week; and we hope for an answer within three months. We need as many people in the area to express their support as are willing to.
• We are now a legally incorporated limited company of which I am the Chair, Vanessa Arnold is the Secretary; and Alan Horton the Treasurer.
• We have applied to become a Registered Charity: the following have been asked to become Trustees: Ann Howard, Phil Abrey, Alan White (John White's son) and Alan Pearson (our architect)
• The Centre is to be named after John White, with the permission of his widow, June White. John was a Binley miner, much respected in the community for his commitment to it. He died 18 months ago.
• We still need further funding, another £3/4 million. We will be applying to the Lottery, Sport England etc. for assistance. All donations continue to be gratefully received. To date, I estimate we have received from various donations £12-13 thousand. A long way to go.

Update provided by Greg Smith ~ 14 February 2002

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