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South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Frustrating delays in transfer of Newport community centre
City council officials said they would 'learn from' the matter and had sought specialist training to help it get to grips with the relatively new process. Ward councillor Matthew Pimm told a scrutiny committee plans for the future of Eveswell Community Centre faced 'lots of hold-ups'. The site is subject of an ongoing Community Asset Transfer (CAT) – a legal process through which local authorities can hand over surplus or unwanted buildings and other assets to interested community groups or organisations. In this case, a proposed deal would pass Eveswell Community Centre to a charity, Toc H, which already runs activities and workshops there. A 25-year lease has previously been suggested for the CAT arrangements. Speaking at a Newport City Council scrutiny meeting, on Monday July 21, Cllr Pimm said the process had involved 'delays' and 'quite a bit of confusion' for those involved. He urged officers to 'speed it up' and suggested the CAT process 'needs to be as straightforward as possible'. Delays had 'made life quite difficult in terms of planning ahead [for] when we take over the asset'. Tracy McKim – the council's head of people, policy and transformation – said the local authority had 'accepted all along' the Eveswell Community Centre CAT is 'something we need to learn from'. The council has worked with Gwent third-sector umbrella organisation GAVO and an 'external provider' to improve its use of CATs, the committee heard. Ms McKim added she believed the transfer of Eveswell Community Centre would be 'a real positive outcome when we get it over the line'. Rhian Howells, the cabinet member for assets and infrastructure, said the early work on CATs would help the council with 'accruing knowledge', and 'going forward we will be able to do it better'. Speaking later in the meeting, Cllr Pimm said the community group involved in the Eveswell CAT process had 'nearly lost out on our funding… because of the delays'. 'A lot needs to be learned', he said, adding it was 'soul destroying… waiting for something to happen'.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Groundbreaking Saints match that changed the game forever
Hospital Broadcasting Association very first radio broadcast from the Dell in October 1952. Leslie Sullivan, chairman of the Toc H branch, pictured commentating (seen in the far left of the Photo) on the match between Saints and Doncaster Rovers. (Image: Southern Daily Echo) It was a crisp autumn Saturday in Southampton and for countless fans of Saints, the day revolved around one thing – the pilgrimage to the hallowed grounds of The Dell. The anticipation, the camaraderie, the collective roar of the crowd – it was a ritual, a passion that pulsed through the city's veins. Advertisement But for those confined to the sterile quiet of a hospital ward, the matchday magic felt a world away. The cheers that echoed across the town before that day were but a faint, melancholic reminder of the community spirit they were missing. That is, until a groundbreaking initiative brought the heart-pounding thrill of the game directly to their bedsides. Read more: Kick by glorious kick, and roar by thunderous roar, patients across two of Southampton's major hospitals were, for the first time, enveloped in the electrifying matchday atmosphere of The Dell, cheering on their beloved Saints without ever leaving the confines of their hospital beds. Advertisement This remarkable feat of ingenuity and compassion unfolded 73 years ago, in the golden October of 1952. It was then that Leslie Sullivan, a man of notable community spirit and the chairman of the charitable organisation Toc-H, settled into his seat amongst the throng at The Dell. As Southampton prepared to face Doncaster Rovers, Mr. Sullivan wasn't just there as a spectator; he was there to make history. With a microphone in hand, he delivered the very first live radio commentary of a Saints game, his voice destined for the ears of those who needed it most. This pioneering commentary service, founded by the dedicated members of Toc-H, was a marvel of its time. Transmitted via sturdy landlines, the broadcast was seamlessly relayed through the internal systems of the Royal South Hants and the General hospitals. Advertisement It was a lifeline of entertainment, a "godsend" as one patient aptly described it, for individuals like Ronald May. Tucked up in his bed at the Royal South Hants Hospital, Mr May, a resident of Holland Place in Shirley, was a lifelong, ardent follower of the Saints. Every weekend had seen him on the terraces until the cruel grip of rheumatism had stolen his ability to make the cherished journey to The Dell. But on that landmark Saturday in October 1952, Mr May was not alone in his longing. He was one of hundreds who, though physically absent from the thick of the action, were spiritually transported to the heart of the stadium. Advertisement The match itself, a tense affair that ultimately ended in a hard-fought draw for the Saints, was brought to life. The quality of the commentary, according to a report in the Daily Echo at the time, was exceptionally high – a sentiment wholeheartedly endorsed by Ronald May himself. "They were on top of the game all the time," he enthused, a testament to the skill and passion of the commentators. The broadcast was an immersive symphony of sound: the ever-present roar of the crowd, the sharp, isolated shouts of encouragement or playful derision, and the infectious, rising excitement in the commentators' voices during the most hectic and thrilling moments of play. To deliver this audio experience, patients were provided with individual "pillowphones" – small, innovative speakers ingeniously encased in soft sponge squares. These were comfortable enough for patients to lie on or tuck snugly under their pillows, creating an intimate and personal connection to the game. Advertisement While a few initial murmurs arose about the volume being a touch too faint, these concerns were swiftly and efficiently addressed. Mr J Dobie, the Southampton manager of Rediffusion, the company responsible for the hospitals' internal systems, promised a new amplifier would be installed within a week, ensuring crystal-clear reception for all. Read more: The Saturday broadcasts, generously subsidised for their first season by the directors of Southampton Football Club, were met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the very first day. Perhaps most delightfully, the service revealed a passionate and previously unheard cohort of female supporters among the patients, who proved to be some of the most enthusiastic listeners. The historic first broadcast began with a formal introduction from the chairman of the club, Mr J R Sarjantson, who then handed over the momentous matchday commentary duties to Mr Sullivan. Advertisement During the halftime interval, Edith Lady Congleton, chairman of the Southampton Group Hospital Management Committee, expressed her thanks to Toc-H and all the dedicated individuals who had brought the scheme to fruition. And then, as a final, unique touch, the hospital-bound fans were treated to something even the spectators on the terraces missed out on – a personal and final word of encouragement directly from the Saints' manager himself, George Roughton. It was a powerful conclusion to a day that had bridged the gap between isolation and community, bringing the beautiful game to those who needed its spirit the most.
South Wales Argus
27-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Plans submitted to revamp Eveswell Community Centre
Eveswell Community Centre will undergo a series of upgrades, including new roof canopies, improved windows and doors, and a solar panel installation, all while maintaining its current use as a community facility. The project is spearheaded by Paul Hackwood, of TocH, and managed by Town & Country Planning Advisors Ltd. The updates aim to significantly enhance the building's energy efficiency and lifespan. The centre will be fitted with external insulation and composite cladding featuring a timber-effect finish, and all existing windows and doors will be replaced with high-performance aluminium units. A new insulated metal roof will be installed, complemented by sections of a sedum green roof, which is expected to bolster the building's sustainability credentials. Two new entrance canopies are also part of the refurbishment. The roof-mounted solar photovoltaic array, with a capacity of 4.8kW, is expected to provide a portion of the building's electricity needs, reducing its carbon footprint. The refurbishment package also includes works such as infrared-controlled external lighting, CCTV, rainwater goods, and decorative aluminium covers over some of the concrete fixings. The community centre is easily accessible from Eveswell Street and Archibald Street, being on a corner plot in the residential area. The site is designated as Flood Zone 3 (Sea); however, the development is classified as low vulnerability, and the sedum roof is expected to assist with drainage. Officials noted that the development would not lead to any change in the building's footprint or increase its vulnerability to flooding. The centre has no previous planning applications, appeals, or enforcement records. The revamp is aligned with both national and local planning policies, including Future Wales – The National Plan 2040 and the Newport Local Development Plan 2011–2026. The improvements are anticipated to support the continued use and regeneration of the community centre, enhancing its utility for local groups and services. Construction is expected to commence within five years, adhering to the submitted plans, if they are approved.
