Broadstairs Town Shed, which opened in May 2014, has been awarded £110,000 from the government’s Community Ownership Fund towards its Raise the Roof campaign.
The group now has more than 200 members and operates in the space that was once the Broadstairs Tram Shed. It’s a Victorian building and needs some serious repairs.
Ever since the Shed moved into the space in 2016, the roof has been a major issue.
Fundraising activities have been taking place ever since to keep the project open for everyone 50+ in the Thanet community and to start saving funds towards the replacement of the roof too.
The significant funding from the government pot takes the Shed much closer to the total cost of replacement and installation of photovoltaic (solar) cells.
Helen Robertson (pictured above), co-ordinator at Broadstairs Town Shed, said: “We could not have wished for a better gift to the Shed in this, our 10th year. What a way to start the celebrations!
“The prospect of a dry, warmer space, and more importantly the installation of the solar panels is fantastic, it will make an enormous difference to the cost of running the Shed, which is always a challenge for us.
“We are so delighted that all the hard work by fundraisers over the past seven years has now been recognised and match-funded by this much needed award. The project deserves this, it supports so many older people across Thanet now.
“We are now able to invite tenders for the roof replacement and the installation of photovoltaic cells to help reduce to cost of the on-going running the Shed too.”
Richard Tremaine (pictured above), volunteer ‘Shedhead’ added: “We’ve managed for so many years thanks to lots of buckets and a rota of bucket emptying by members.
“Given our membership profile, it’s important to keep everyone dry of course and also make sure the workshop is warm, welcoming and safe. We are overwhelmed by the boost this will give us all.
“We can now happily plan a range of celebrations for and with our community this most significant year since we first had thoughts about a Shed for Broadstairs back in 2013, and plan for the next 10 years of the Shed’s development for the benefit of our community.”
The Shed is also open on Fridays for ‘Art at The Shed’ activities.
Events across the Spring and Summer are being planned to mark the 10th anniversary.
