History of
Linwood Community
Education Centre
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
Overview
This information was taken directly from questionnaires
completed by ‘Users’ of Linwood Community Education
Centre.
Over 1000 people use the current Community Education
Centre on a weekly basis.
378 users completed a consultation form and all agreed
strongly that we need a facility that is ‘run by the community
for the community’.
80% of users are multi-functional users with 70% of them
using the café while attending the centre with their children
and friends.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
History of Community Education in
Linwood
The “Wee Red School” was closed to pupils and Community
Education took it over in 1965.
This opened doors for the community of Linwood but it was only to
be temporary accommodation as a brand new building was being
built in the new town centre. This was the Tweedie Hall.
Sadly the Local Authority at that time decided not to use The
Tweedie Halls as a Community Centre and the “Wee Red School”
was used until 1991 when the Local Authority decided to sell the
land for housing.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
At the same time school rolls were dropping rapidly and the
Education Authority decided to amalgamate some primary schools.
Linwood had 4 non denominational primary schools and 2 roman
catholic schools. The 2 roman catholic schools were reduced to
one and renamed Our Lady of Peace. The 4 non denominational
primary schools were reduced to two and these were named as East
Fulton Primary and Woodlands Primary. The buildings of the old
schools were still in good condition so this is when Linwood
Community Centre moved into the old St. Conval’s School.
History of Community Education in
Linwood (Cont’d)
Social work took over the bottom of the centre in 1997 and the
“Greensyde Centre” was born. This restricted the use of the
community centre, especially the café area which at that time was
staffed by community education workers. The management
committee took over the running of the café and moved upstairs.
Everything was re-shuffled and the management committee
worked alongside The Greensyde Centre and the user groups that
used the centre in order for this to work.
Linwood High School was closed and a new school was to be built
in its place. At the same time St Brendan’s High School was being
moved to a brand new building and amalgamated with St Cuthberts
High School (Johnstone) in the outskirts of Linwood. This new
school was to become St. Benedict’s High School.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
The closure of Linwood High School also meant the closure for the
‘High Spot’ – a place where our youth congregated 3 nights per
week and also over the summer holidays. This valuable asset was
never replaced.
History of Community Education in
Linwood (Cont’d)
We may have gained brand new school premises for all our
children in Linwood but we lost our Community Youth Wing
from the High School therefore lost youth clubs and evening
activities for the teenagers in Linwood. Youth workers have
tried to keep groups going such as LLADS and Class Acts
and have managed this but not without a lot of hassle mainly
due to money and lets.
New builds are no longer owed by the council so discounted
rates no longer apply as the non teaching staff such as
janitors are employed by private firms. This is proving to be a
strain on the ‘User Groups’ purse strings.
Many groups are prohibited to use the new school premises
in the event they may damage floors e.g. dance schools.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
The new St. Benedict’s High School has outdoor football
pitches however, NO football clubs in Linwood can access
these pitches as they were built too SMALL and are therefore
not SFA approved.
Management Committee of Linwood
Community Education Centre
The Community Centre building is owned by Renfrewshire Council
but managed by a team of volunteers known as the Management
Committee. The Council do not charge for the use of the building
and in turn the Management Committee run and maintain the
Centre taking care of refurbishments, controlling the lets and
general running of the Centre. The Management Committee are
unpaid, the only paid member of staff is the janitor and cleaning
staff who are employees of Renfrewshire Council.
The Management Committee are a committed group of local
people who have made a difference to the local community by
setting the price of lets at an affordable level.
Linwood have took ownership of the centre for many years. You
only have to look at the outside of the building - bearing in mind
that the gates are never locked - there is little to no vandalism.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
Management Committee of Linwood
Community Education Centre
Many of the complaints to local MP’s are of stone throwing at cars
approaching the Sports Centre only a few minutes walk away, this
is a true reflection of the acceptance of the centre.
Year ending 2009 accounts shows an annual income of over
£10,000 with essential expenditure of Insurance £450 and tutor fees
of £2,570. The rest of the expenditure was charity donations and
donations to community groups to help them maintain the good
running of the groups, so in fact they pay rent then get some of it
back for equipment and running costs.
This is probably a unique concept to a lot of people that volunteers
run this efficient business in their own time. However, it is fact and
just because its not broadcasted, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist and
more importantly, isn’t needed!
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
Management Committee of Linwood
Community Education Centre
Many of the complaints to local MP’s are of stone throwing at cars
approaching the Sports Centre only a few minutes walk away, this
is a true reflection of the acceptance of the centre.
Year ending 2009 accounts shows an annual income of over
£10,000 with essential expenditure of Insurance £450 and tutor fees
of £2,570. The rest of the expenditure was charity donations and
donations to community groups to help them maintain the good
running of the groups, so in fact they pay rent then get some of it
back for equipment and running costs.
This is probably a unique concept to a lot of people that volunteers
run this efficient business in their own time. However, it is fact and
just because its not broadcasted, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist and
more importantly, isn’t needed!
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
Quotes from the many
Users of the Current
Community Education
Centre on the proposed
closure
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
< 16 years old
I'm 9 years old and I go to dancing here since I was 2
years old. If we don’t have anywhere to dance we cant
dance.
Don’t knock it down because then we wont have
anywhere to do our shows and this is a good place for
shows.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
16 – 24 years old
Don’t shut this centre it keeps the kids busy, exercised
and safe at night.
Since the ‘High Spot’ was taken away, there’s nothing
for the Youth in Linwood.
Our age group is forgotten about and all they do is moan
about us – (17 year old).
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
25 – 44 years old
I run many community groups in Linwood and struggle to
find affordable, suitable, halls.
Cant believe the council can ignore the wishes of so many
people. We need to stick together.
The loss of the community centre will take away the one
place that we have that is affordable for groups to hold
community events which is vital to keep this community
working together.
The community centre is greatly valued in Linwood. It is an
affordable venue and would be a great loss if it had to close.
Distinct lack of suitable grass and all weather playing
surfaces within area.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
25 - 44 years old
I have had my dance school in this centre for 8 years and
find the staff welcoming and helpful. I feel the centre is an
important part of Linwood and the community.
I think that a community without a community centre is a
community without any heart or soul.
Build another road somewhere else.
Put the road elsewhere.
I use the centre for a few things esp. computer courses and
it’s the only way for me to learn just now so I don’t want the
centre to close.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
45 - 64 years old
I'm happy with the facilities as they are.
I’m more than happy with this site for the community centre.
This is a lifeline for the community an alternative route could
be found. Why are you considering demolishing a centre with
25 years service to our community with a proven success
rate? I will be showing with my vote at the next election.
Tell them to use what they have already.
Do not take this away from Linwood.
This facility is needed, the price of renting other premises is
prohibited for most users of this centre
My family use the centre every week.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
45 - 64 years old
Clippens school pupils and staff use the community centre
well. Some pupils learning gardening skills at community
garden.
Do not think this centre should be closed it does a lot for the
community.
Locally there is currently a lack of affordable/accessible
facilities for the community use. This is vital with the various
local communities.
To find another place with access and equipment storage
would be difficult.
It is preposterous. We need a new building of our own. Run
by us.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
25 - 44 years old
Closing the community centre would be a detrimental loss to
Linwood. Linwood has little enough to do for all ages.
There already isn't enough facilities to accommodate groups
or to encourage new groups from forming. There isn't really
anything for boys age 4-7. The community centre is the heart
of Linwood.
Taking away our community centre, is the wrong decision,
without a replacement our children and community are
losing out.
Think its disgusting my 2 young girls have attended dance
and other activities since they were toddlers.
At the meeting I asked about other areas community centres
I checked this and they all have community centres.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
65 - 74 years old
First heard of the centre closure in August from a very
disgusted user of the centre who is 16 years old.
Hope it is large enough to have all our classes.
Really difficult to get suitable for disabilities particularly
storage for equipment.
Shouldn't happen where is the community spirit.
It will be sad to see the community centre closing for all in
Linwood.
Our hall is used at present for various activities for 50+
group it would be to advantage for it to be able to
accommodate at least 200 in the new facilities.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
65 - 74 years old
I think this would be a big loss have been a member for 15
years.
Let’s fight for a good cause.
We strongly need a community centre for the people of
Linwood.
Linwood deserves a proper community centre, keeping
everyone under the same roof, it works well at present don’t
change that.
We need a community centre.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
Linwood has a great community spirit and the community
centre is witness to this. It is essential that this continues
under one roof. Incorporating community centre into
proposed sports hub would ensure that the Linwood
community would retain a sense of belonging, purpose and
unity.
65 - 74 years old
My family and friends use the community centre a lot.
The community of Linwood NEED somewhere for the
community.
The 50+ club dinner dances for about 100 people. Where will
they hold them.
Would like us all to be in the one premises.
There's very little else for older people and this is a lifeline to
lots of widows and people who live on there own.
Where are we to go? There is no other hall available!
This complex keeps our community together without too
much cost to the clubs.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
75+ years old
We use it for the various activities that the club does, the
club is very well supported by over 200.
If you take this building away we are left with nothing.
Linwood is going back ways instead of forward.
Only use it to go to see shows ect and think it is really
needed.
Cannot get out to participate think it is a well needed centre
does a lot for community family use it .
We need our community centre.
Do not destroy our community centre.
It is essential that we have a hall for all the groups involved.
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
People of Linwood find the sports centre to expensive (75-84)
75+ years old
When our group meet at dinners or dances approx 180 can
be in attendance. I hope that promises for all groups will be
in the one complex.
We must have a community centre!
More walking means more exercise for them already using
sports centre.
Will we have a place to go when the place is pulled down or
as usual will we be left in the cold?
We have nothing to look forward to this a great lifeline for the
over 50’s and some where to go to other than shops. I don’t
think our councillors agreed to this?
Linwood
Community
Education Centre
Venn Chart:
Linwood Community Education Centre/
Linwood User Groups
Parish
Church
Toddlers
Brownies
St.
Conval’s
FC
Adults
Tap
Class
Key:
Current LCEC User Groups
Wider Linwood User
Groups
Prima
School
of
Dance
Adult
Learning
& Literacy
Solid
Rock
Dance
Ladds
Credit
Union
Camera
Club
Class
Acts
Tai
Chi
Self
Help
Craft
Private
Function
Lets
Jogging
Buddies
Linwood
Active
Linwood
User
Groups
Donna
Brown
Dance
School
Flexi
Care
Pipe
Band
Tweedie
Toddlers
Cafe
Jam
Dance
50+
Group
Yoga
Classes
Dance
Studio
Leases
for
Business
Space
Linwood
RYC
Parent
School
Council
Lets
Linstone
Housing
Ass
Other
Amateur
Football
Clubs