1987
The Young People’s Community Centre was formed in 1987 when the Scout group, youth club and playgroup united to raise funds to build a purpose-built building to meet all the needs of those initial three youth groups.
Scouts, Cubs and youth club, were based in the Village hall on a Wednesday evening but this had limited indoor storage and was not ideal for the activities.
Playgroup was based in the Methodist chapel school room, which again had limited storage for their equipment.
In 1982 the newly formed Beaver section were meeting in Rode Heath primary school on a Tuesday evening as the village hall was fully booked.
Youth club, Scouts and playgroup sought a plot of land to build this purpose-built building and eventually with the help of Sir Richard Baker-Wilbraham, a plot of land that Rode Hall estate owned was identified.
Planning permission was sought and eventually passed and then the task of raising the money to build was started and after many let downs, battles and hard work, the project got off the ground.
Years of fundraising followed, and stage by stage the building was constructed. Ian Boone, (local resident, former Rode Heath Scout, parent of a scout and an architect), drew up the plans and designs for the building and a local builder, (Brian Swindels), was employed to oversee the building works.
On the 20th of March 1987 a declaration of trust was made with £1,987.00 from:
- Reverend Raymond Nigel Wilson Elbourne, (reverend of Odd Rode Parish).
- Wendy Ann Merser, (Rode Heath Youth club).
- Laurance Heathcote Clarke (Rode Heath Scouts Group Scout Leader).
- Sheila Barrow (Rode Heath residednt).
- Maureen Griffin Guthrie (Rode Heath resident).
- Eric William Pemberton.
- Terence Rowley (Rode Heath Beaver leader & local resident)
- Annie Doreen Taylor (Rode Heath Cub leader & local resident)
They formed the trustees of the trust between the Community Centre and Martin John Wilbraham plus the Honourable Michael Llowarch Warburton Flower for the lease of the land for 21 years from the above date.
1994
On the 24th September 1994, the YPCC (Young People’s Community Centre) by Sir Richard Baker-Wilbraham of Rode Hall to provide facilities for young people in local community.
The original committee members for the building were:
- Chairman – Mr Ken Hemsley (Parish councillor)
- Secretary – Mrs Wendy Morton (Youth club helper)
- Treasurer – Mrs Kath Bostock
- Booking secretary – Mrs Kath Colclough (Cub leader & Youth club leader)
- Mrs Wendy Merser (Youth club helper)
- Mr Mike Jackson (Beaver helper)
- Mr Ian Boone (Architect)
- Mrs Barbara Merry (Playgroup)
- Mrs Helen Pepper (Playgroup)
- Mrs Dawn Comber (Rode Heath Resident)
- Mr Mike Dennerley (Scout leader)
- Mr Terry Rowley (Beaver Leader)
- Mrs Eileen Maddon (Rode Heath Resident)
2024
The YPCC celebrates its 30th birthday. 30 years on and the building continues to operate as a building dedicated to the community, still run by a team of volunteers from the local area.
A key improvement is made to the building in the form of acoustic installation in the hall. The installation significantly reduces noise levels making the experience better for all! The improvements were only made possible with grants from Odd Rode Parish Council and the Davies Foundation.
