Crimble Croft Community Centre 'DIY SOS' treatment gets mayoral seal of approval

Crimble Croft Community Centre before and after the work

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Mayor of Rochdale, Ray Dutton, visited the Crimble Croft Community Centre after Howdens Joinery Heywood Depot. and Hopwood Hall College answered a DIY call for aid, fitting a whole new kitchen and work area for free.

Howdens Joinery Heywood heard about the disrepair of the community centre's staff facilities and contacted Hopwood Hall College for help in bringing areas of the centre up to a modern standard.

20 students from numerous construction and technology courses at the college were involved in the labour side of the renovation work, with Howdens Joinery Heywood donating all the fittings and materials.

Hopwood Hall Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice Carl Ellison, one of the students fitting the community centre's upgrades, said of his work on the project: "Me and all the lads are really happy to be here. Helping out a cornerstone of our local community is the best way to be using our time and skills and the experience gained is excellent for us, there are definitely times when you learn more outside of the classroom.

I just hope the centre's team are happy with the final product."

The Crimble Croft’s Manager, Janice Simmonds, did indeed express delight at the final product.

"We're so grateful for what the college and the Heywood Howdens have done for us. It almost feels like we’ve had our own version of DIY SOS.

“The staff areas have been in a poor state for a long while and we can’t wait to be able live out our work lives in somewhere much more hospitable.”

The donations from Howdens Heywood came as part of their mission to improve the community they operate in. Diane Collins, Business Developer at the firm, was the team member who first found out about the community centre’s plight: “We are amazed at the results and the work of the college/students, the improvements they have made are huge when you consider the facilities original condition.

“Our team will always do as much for the Heywood Community as possible and continue to look at other projects and donations this year.”

Mayor Dutton, a former apprentice gas fitter himself, took delight in meeting the various students who took part in the project.

Mayor Dutton said: “It’s been great talking to students about the details of the work they have done, the quality of their work is really high.

“I’m also proud of the Howdens Heywood team for the donations they have given and the efforts they have made to get this project going. They’re a superb pillar of the community.”