Brownhills School: Access denied. Image from Brownhills School website.
Further to my post yesterday, I was contacted by a reader and good friend of the blog who wishes to remain anonymous, but has some grim news to relate about the seemingly crazy removal of community access to the Brownhills School swimming pool for evening swimming lessons.
It seems my worst fears are true, and community access to the Brownhills School facilities is being removed for all groups who formerly used them. I am gobsmacked. This establishment – a very good school – was once called Brownhills Community School; no wonder they dropped the middle word.
My correspondent had this to say:
Sadly it appears that it’s not only the pool that is being denied. Howard Fullelove who is involved with the running of Brownhills Colts soccer sides has also been told to look elsewhere as have the Spotlight Theatre Group apparently, who will follow the indoor bowls team who were removed last year.
Now it appears that soccer pitches will just lie idle, and I can’t understand why. What do they cost to maintain? Line marking about 3 times a year, and grass cutting during the short growing season, surely more than covered by the pitch fees?
What sickens me is that all the people who run these groups are dedicated volunteers who give their time and hard work for no other reward than to help youngsters enjoy themselves, and in most cases digging their hands in their own pockets to keep things afloat.
There used to be a big sign in front of the school which boasted BROWNHILLS COMMUNITY SCHOOL and also advertised their wonderful COMMUNITY lounge. Sad days for our town I’m afraid.
I agree totally; Brownhills Community School used to support so much local activity, it really was deserving of the classification. With this snub to local clubs, activities and volunteers, an otherwise excellent institution has stuck two fingers up to the people who fought for it in the bad years, who fundraised for better facilities and stepped forward to support their town.
I find this situation really quite distasteful. This is a public relations disaster.
The footer of the Brownhills School letterhead, proudly proclaiming support for sports, and declaring itself at the ‘heart of the community’ – they’ll be needing to remove that, I’d wager.