Down in the Woods is Down in the Dumps

The abrupt closure of a Wimborne youth club has caused parents to lead a march to Poole’s Civic Centre protesting against the Council’s decision.

Activities at Merley Youth Club (MYC), Chichester Walk, were brought to a halt recently after Anne Newton, Strategic Director for Children’s Services, Borough of Poole, made the decision to close the building. She said, “The safety of the children and adults who use the building clearly must come first.”

Down in the Woods pre-school which runs at MYC found itself without a home. Owner Debbie Benjafield (46) said, “It came as an utter shock to be told at quarter-to-two that we had to close in less than two hours.”

Parents, carers and grandparents of 56 children at Down in the Woods marched to Poole’s Civic Centre on Monday as a demonstration against the closure.

Hayley Pope (27), Media and Communications officer at Poole Borough Council, said, “We received a structural engineer’s report that suggested the structural stability of the building couldn’t be guaranteed in the worsening forecasts for coming weeks.”

“The suggestion has been made that parents and staff of Down in the Woods will claim for loss of earnings,” said Miss Pope, “but no formal claims have been made.”

Merley Councillor, David Brown (39), said, “My understanding is that the engineer’s report was with the council a few weeks before so I believe the situation was dealt with appallingly, it should never have got to the point where the club was closed with only a couple of hours notice.”

Down in the Woods will move to Canford School, Wimborne for the next two weeks before returning to MYC, which will be supported by scaffolding, until July 2010. Mrs Benjafield said, “My 8 staff have been out of work for the week, we have to try and fight it out with the council for some permanent accommodation.”

A spokesperson for Canford School said, “We are happy to accommodate Down in the Woods.”

“Parents have been very supportive,” Mrs Benjafield said. “We have had cards that the children have made saying they want to return to the club.”