St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Now the new school building is complete, we've got our bit back:

Return of the Basement

History

The basement of the school dates from 1928 when the school building was extended. It was built especially for the St Luke’s Churchmen’s Club, and was occupied by them until a fire in 1980.

The fire affected both school and basement. The Churchman’s Club was somewhat under-insured, and was unable to replace its two pool-tables. So the Club decided to close.

The basement remained empty after the fire until it was let to the ‘Bradford Amateur Boxing Club’, who refurbished it with the help of a Ł6,000 Sports Council grant. This refurbishment was fairly basic as they only required facilities to train, shower and so on. However it did include a new rear entrance (until then entry had been via the school).

In the early 1990’s, the church decided to take over the basement and asked the Boxing Club to move out. Plans were drawn up to make the basement into a meeting room for the church, with kitchen facilities, toilets and an office. The cost of Ł10,000 was met from deposit funds.

Thanks to Jeff Simmonite and Ken Nicholl for this information. Could anyone else tell us bits of the basement’s history, and what it was like to meet there?

The Present

While the new school classrooms were being built, the basement was used as a classroom and the school upgraded the premises in various ways. Two new fan heaters, a ventilation unit, a partition wall and enhanced lighting were installed. The storage heaters were also overhauled. We benefit from all this work, as well as from the rental of Ł3,000 per year during this time.

The Future

The PCC has appointed a small committee to manage the rooms, make them available for hire, and suggest further improvements. Non-profit making community groups can hire the rooms on a regular basis for Ł3 per hour, and several groups already meet weekly. Individuals can book a 4-hour block of time (10am-2pm or 2-6 or 6-10) for a single charge of Ł40 (and a deposit): to book please ring Shuna Hartley on 636403.

We are looking towards redecoration and other changes. Someone suggested a themed colour scheme - maybe making the basement into a “dolphin room” or a “jungle room”? If you have a brainwave on this please tell us!

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. May 2002, Page 4.
Home Page. Index of articles. In this issue: (May 2002) Vicar's Letter, Christening, Basement, Question.	Now the new school building is complete, we've got our bit back: Return of the Basement History The basement of the school dates from 1928 when the school building was extended. It was built especially for the St Luke’s Churchmen’s Club, and was occupied by them until a fire in 1980. The fire affected both school and basement. The Churchman’s Club was somewhat under-insured, and was unable to replace its two pool-tables. So the Club decided to close. The basement remained empty after the fire until it was let to the ‘Bradford Amateur Boxing Club’, who refurbished it with the help of a Ł6,000 Sports Council grant. This refurbishment was fairly basic as they only required facilities to train, shower and so on. However it did include a new rear entrance (until then entry had been via the school). In the early 1990’s, the church decided to take over the basement and asked the Boxing Club to move out. Plans were drawn up to make the basement into a meeting room for the church, with kitchen facilities, toilets and an office. The cost of Ł10,000 was met from deposit funds. Thanks to Jeff Simmonite and Ken Nicholl for this information. Could anyone else tell us bits of the basement’s history, and what it was like to meet there? The Present While the new school classrooms were being built, the basement was used as a classroom and the school upgraded the premises in various ways. Two new fan heaters, a ventilation unit, a partition wall and enhanced lighting were installed. The storage heaters were also overhauled. We benefit from all this work, as well as from the rental of Ł3,000 per year during this time. The Future The PCC has appointed a small committee to manage the rooms, make them available for hire, and suggest further improvements. Non-profit making community groups can hire the rooms on a regular basis for Ł3 per hour, and several groups already meet weekly. Individuals can book a 4-hour block of time (10am-2pm or 2-6 or 6-10) for a single charge of Ł40 (and a deposit): to book please ring Shuna Hartley on 636403. We are looking towards redecoration and other changes. Someone suggested a themed colour scheme - maybe making the basement into a “dolphin room” or a “jungle room”? If you have a brainwave on this please tell us!
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