On 22nd November 2011 we opened our doors to our new home at Montesole Pavilion, which is set in the Montesole Playing Fields with a small car park.  We had been desperate for new premises since we left our last venue due to an increase in rent which was unacceptable.

 

We eventually found Montesole Pavilion which was in a really sad state having been left empty for many many years and once we had been given permission to use this hall as a temporary let while various planning permissions were being sought we had a major task in getting the premises ready for use (once the Council had cleared out all the junk that had been left there).

 

Over a few Saturdays Jan, Liz, Brenda, Alan, Lorraine and Chris (a friend worth his weight in gold) set to in rolling our sleeves up and getting stuck in.  Scrubbing brushes came out, bleach and yet more bleach covered areas that had not seen the light of day for many years.  Cupboards were cleaned within an inch of their lives, toilets were power-washed/bleached and de-scaled.  Eventually paint went on the ceiling and walls and it started to look much better.  Varnish went on cupboards and the windows (although shuttered on the outside) were given a clean.  One of the last things to be done was the floor - David Cole (after making a rather rash promise at his Eastbourne Seminar) came armed with his floor scrubbing maching and grafted away until the music ran out!!  Not satisfied with that he came back yet again to buff the floor to a change of music - this time his choice!!!  The final touches - our much loved posters were put up (although I must say they are proving to be a little stubborn in staying 'put').  Kettles, mugs and the all important biscuits were put in place ready for our launch.    Below are some pics of the clean up and the result: