Brady Square was my mother’s home and where I still visit, toddling around, remembering so much: Uncle Stan Newsome, Auntie Isobel and David …the stories, teasing, love, laughter.
Nick, one recent owner, caught me peering through the gates and gave me a tour of the shop turned house, but first we walked past the guard-raptors, straining at their pole tethers!
My connection with Brady Square led me towards the unstoppable Marion Taylor, Secretary of the CCA Committee,who told me of the community’s amazing efforts to help during Covid, (read here ) But little Annie Newsome’s girl became Oliver Twist and wanted to know more – about what was happening now with CAA.
Marion took me back to the beginning: ‘The CCA building opened in 1939 and was used as the Unemployment Exchange until this moved in 1970s to premises in Washington Galleries. This is when the building became our CCA centre.
‘The building was Council owned but for several years they have wanted the community to take over the lease. In 2021 a new committee was formed to discuss the way forward.
‘The council had undertaken a survey of the building and were prepared to spend £100,000 on the update. We as a committee felt we had to protect community assets. Failing to do so would result in the unthinkable, the sale of the building
Marion told me that most of the council costings were for the structural renovations. So what about the inside? I wanted to know. ‘But before you tell me, surely these lovely doors aren’t to be changed?’ She assured me they weren’t, just tarted up, but those weren’t her words. They belong to little Annie Newsome’s girl, who is BAD.
Marion made clear that the renovations were discussed with their users, and potential users before applying for funding, bearing in mind they were catering for all members of the community.
Unstoppable, her enthusiasm knowing no bounds, Marion took off:
‘We wanted to build on the fact that our users enjoy the ambiance and homeliness of the centre, the kitchen is always available for that ever-welcome cuppa and our rooms are multifunctional. We have two large community rooms where various activities take place and you can have the choice of which area suits your needs; whether it is Didi dancing at 18 months or exercise sessions. We have bookings for team meetings, cultural creations, wildlife group, home schooling, and recently hosted a sign language course. Fat Quarters sewing group (named after the last material on the bail!) and The Forever Young Bingo Ladies are a regular weekly booking’
Oh, oh, when I saw the image Marion sent of the Bingo Ladies I was so thrilled, because I am also clearly forever young, as I have the same Stretchers shoes as two of the ladies, navy with bright pink laces. Never seen anyone else wearing them. Marion said, ‘There you go, you can take the person out of Brady Square but you can’t take Brady Square out of the person.’
Marion continued the wonderfully long list of those using the CCA centre: weekend parties as we can adequately house bouncy castles, discos and as an extra we have tables and chairs for the children to have their buffet. It’s wonderful, as like Topsy who ‘growed’, this often results in party guests booking their own parties. Let’s not forget Shake that Boogey who has increased her sessions to three times a week and the weekly physical exercise with Amazon steps.’ Marion added that this was: too energetic for the likes of me)
With hire charges at £10 an hour, though perhaps needing to rise to £15 in the current situation it’s still ‘as cheap as chips‘ in Marion’s words. It is too, in comparison with other community centre charges. ‘CCA is advertised on social media’ Marion says, ‘and we hope everyone knows they are welcome to pop in at any time for tea and a chat.’
In addition it’s clear the community spirit reinforced during Covid is still alive and kicking, as the CCA powerhouse needs donations of medical supplies and toiletries for Ukraine and spectacles for Camboldia. They liaise with the Polish Centre in Newcastle as to what help they can supply.
WIFI is to be installed soon when they will have a new computer hub either for educational purposes, becoming familiar with computers, accessing the internet or just to play games on the tables CAA will provide.
Even more good news is that refurbishment has begun and Frost Magazine will be following the new and improved CCA every step of the way. During this period all users will be directed to alternative areas within the building including the Bingo Ladies who can continue to flash those pink laces.
For information: Columbia Community Forum Columbia Community Association Facebook
Margaret Graham is editor of Frost Magazine, and the author of many novels under three names. She is also little Annie Newsome’s daughter and proud of it and her connection to Brady Square.
