Star date: 16th May 2019

OVER 2,000 PEOPLE SIGN PETITIONS TO SAVE BODDAN LODGE FROM SALFORD CITY COUNCIL CUTS

Over two thousand people have signed petitions to save Boddan Lodge Over 60s Club in Monton, as Salford Council threatens to axe £18,000 funding to pay for its lease and maintenance.

The cut goes against every 'age-friendly' strategy that Salford Council has, as the Club runs loads of activities for isolated older citizens... "I've been coming for five years since I lost my wife and, quite honestly, this place has saved my life" says member Edward Christian "I'd be so upset if it closed."

Full details here...

"What do I think of the Council? Rubbish! I think it's terrible, they're closing all these places and people will have nowhere to go." Isobelle, aged 93

"I've been coming here for 15 years on my own; it's a reason to get up in the morning, and I'd be heartbroken if it finished" says Val Buston, Deputy Chair of Boddan Lodge Over 60s Club, echoing the sentiments of every one of the members.

They are all horrified that Salford City Council is threatening to cut £18,000 funding that pays the lease and maintenance of the small building at the back of Monton Green that is literally a lifesaver for over 120 members who attend.

The Club is just over fifty years old, and runs activities six days a week for anyone who wants to come. Today, there's sequence dancing happening indoors, whilst, outside, people are enjoying bowling in the early summer sun. Everyone's got a smile on their face.

As well as today's entertainment, there's snooker, card games, line dancing, keep fit, themed nights, trips out and fundraising for charities like St Ann's Hospice... "The Council told us there's not another club in Salford that does all this" says Club Secretary, Ken Livesey "It's all done by the committee and volunteers, with no expense to the Council which let us run it ourselves."

Indeed, everything is paid for by members' subscriptions, including minor repairs, cleaning, maintenance of the bowling green and more. The only expense to Salford Council is the rent, utilities and major repairs, which has been totalled at £18,000 per year.

The Council leases the land for Boddan Lodge and the bowling green from the next door Monton Unitarian Church for £7,700 and the Club is paying £4,000 towards that this year - but the powers that be seem adamant that closure at the end of December this year is the only option...

"The Council is now seeking to stop the lease completely, saying it's costing too much money to complete" explains Roy Zammit, Club Chair "The overall figure given to us is £18,000, but we feel that is inflated, and even if we said we could reduce it by increasing fees, they're not that receptive to it because the feeling we all get is that they want to offload.

"We don't know when the decision will be made" he adds "We were told to look to see what we could do ourselves in finding funds to reduce their outgoings, which we did. The Council was pleased that we got £1,000 funding and raised our membership fees. They were over the moon, and then at the next meeting said 'We want it down to nil'."

The Club has launched petitions in hard copy and online to Save Boddan Lodge which over two thousand people have signed...*

"The councillor has come down, and we've spoken to MP Rebecca Long-Bailey who said 'You're doing a very good job here'" recalls Ken "When I mentioned the money she remarked 'Chicken feed'..."

Indeed, the amount the Council puts in is virtually nothing in the scheme of things, in which £19million has been thrown at the RHS Garden in Worsley, which is supposed to help the wellbeing of Salford people. Even the Veteran's Shelter outside is currently getting a £25,000 Lottery makeover. Meanwhile, as Roy says, "We're saving a lot of people from going to doctors; there's loads of social value and we're saving them money."

All the members underline the sentiments... "For a lot of the people, it's the only time they get out" says Maureen Avery, Minutes Secretary "People who are widowed, single, who have no other family and friends in the area, come along for company and companionship..."

Committee member, Linda Zammit, agrees: "I enjoy the company, have good fun, there's a warm welcome every time you come in...It keeps you going, keeps you fit and your mind active."

Salford Council has strategies in place for powering an 'age-friendly city'. Its 'Building An Age-Friendly Salford 2018-2021' document specifically quotes the World Health Organisation definition of an age-friendly city...

"An Age Friendly City encourages active ageing by optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age" it states "In practical terms an Age Friendly City adapts its structures and services to be accessible to and inclusive of older people with varying needs and capacities."

The Council report adds that "Older people involvement and engagement is central to Salford's model. This includes their voice in community age-friendly assessments supporting priorities for action..." So much for inclusion...they can't even get hold of a copy of the full report that recommends the axe for their Club.

One of the priorities mentioned by older people themselves in the report is that "We need more places to meet; ensure public buildings are welcoming and accessible..."

Committee member, Irving Brown, scoffs at the notion, given the actions of the Council... "An age-friendly city? I don't think very much of it" he says "Money is being spent on cycle ways and footpaths; I've never heard of anything being done for over 60s, and this is the only club that deals with over 60s...And this is costing them nothing but £18,000."

...But, for all the good the Club is doing, it still appears too much for the Council to pay...

"The situation as I understand it is that the bowling green and Boddan Lodge land has historically belonged to the church, and the Council for many years has leased it off us and have then sub-let it to the club which worked well for all parties" says Rev Anna Jarvis , Minister at Monton Unitarian Church.

"Because the Council is struggling with funding cuts they've had to do a full review of all their properties and are coming to the conclusion that they can't afford Boddan Lodge" she adds "They've come to the conclusion that they have to let something go and that is the one, and, I imagine, other ones as well.

"We love the fact that the over 60s club is there, we want them to be able to stay there but we can't afford to subsidise them; we're pretty much breaking even ourselves as we're an independent church and don't have a mother church with £1million we can apply to" she explains "So we have been trying to work with Boddan Lodge and the Council to find a way forward. So far we're struggling to find one. We desperately want them to stay in there and we'll do what we can."

The oldest member of the Club is Isobelle Clapham, age 93, who has been a member since 1986... "I come because it's a good club, it's brilliant" she says "I used to bowl and have won 32 trophies on this green. I also dance and everyone is very nice. They should keep it open.

"What do I think of the Council?" she asks "Rubbish! I think it's terrible, they're closing all these places and people will have nowhere to go."

Committee member Jack Johnston agrees: "They're squeezing us, trying to get more and more out of us" he says "They should just keep subsidising it and do any emergency repairs, that's all we need them to do. People who are retired have skills, we can manage on our own. The only major things they've done are the boiler and a leak in the roof, beyond that they've done nothing."

For member Edward Christian, the Club has been a revelation... "I've been coming for around five years, since I lost my wife, and quite honestly this place saved my life" he says "The company is fantastic, and I come about three times a week to play snooker and bowls. I've met a lady here who has been a widow for 13 years and we pair up on trips and things. It's utterly fantastic. It will be dreadful if it closed. I'd be so upset...."

* To sign the petition to Save Boddan Lodge – click here