CAMPAIGNERS hoping to save Coopers Hill Community Centre from demolition have ramped up their cause — by creating a song dedicated to keeping the site open.
The hub could come down after proposals to regenerate Coopers Hill, Market Street and Jubilee Gardens were laid bare as part of £300 million investment plans in May 2019.
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Around 700 homes could go up if proposals are taken forward by Bracknell Forest Council (BFC).
This would mean knocking down Coopers Hill Community Centre — something regular users of the site and neighbours are hoping does not happen.
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Numerous meetings have taken place and banners have been put up to raise awareness of the plans, but now the Save Coopers Hill Campaign activists have produced a song about the issue they are facing.
Sung to the tune of John Brown’s Body, it goes:
CHORUS
Solidarity forever
Better when we fight together
Come and join in our endeavour
Coopers Hill it must be saved!
VERSE 1
The council wants to knock it down, develop all the land
We will lose this vital asset if we do not make a stand
It has been here for so long for the community at hand
Coopers Hill we must save you!
CHORUS
VERSE 2
From tiny tots to pensioners, from youth to mums to be
From religious groups to fitness clubs and more for you and me
It has served this large community close to a century
Coopers Hill forever be!
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CHORUS
VERSE 3
There’s room inside for more to come with plans to grow not stop
Its location is ideal with the town centre just a hop
Bracknell council bought a new roof to sit nicely on the top
Coopers Hill needs to be saved!
CHORUS
Campaigners have also created a 21-point manifesto detailing why the centre should be saved, which includes:
Bracknell does not have a central community centre and if Coopers Hill goes, it’s lost forever.
The recent addition of the new roof has enhanced its future and to demolish this would be a complete loss as well as a waste of council tax money
It is centrally located with good access for all and parking both on site and in the street.
BFC bosses say the centre needs at least £1 million of investment to bring it up to a “usable standard”, following a survey by independent inspectors.
According to the council, the centre costs £62,000 to run but generates £52,000 in income per year.
A BFC spokesperson told the News in October 2019: “Given the building’s age and condition, it would be difficult to make additional modifications to make it fully accessible across all levels – which is something the council aspires to for all its buildings to ensure equality standards are met.”
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