The only records that I have found on the Avenue Centre are held by the Bedfordshire & Luton Archives & Record Services. These consist of a building maintenance file from the Bedfordshire County Architects Department for the period 1946 to 1984. Having said that, there are some interesting details held in the file and these are the notes I made, as written in the file:
The Avenue Centre was erected in the early 1940’s. It was a single storey pre cast concrete framed structure, with brick infill panels under a corrugated asbestos cement roof.
One of its first uses, was as a War Workers Community Club, which opened on 6th November 1943 funded by the War Relief Society of America.
The Bedfordshire County Council, Education Committee took over the running of the centre on 1st April 1946.
12th December 1946 – A J Vann of the Dells, Biggleswade was part of the Avenue Management Committee.
On the 23rd October 1948, it was discovered that 12 panes of glass had been broken when the Club was closed, presumably by school children, on holiday.
30th December 1948 – A R Thurston was Hon. Sec of the Avenue Management Committee.
From 3rd January 1949, the Education Committee decided the premises were to be used as additional accommodation for a secondary school.
4th January 1949 - Mr W Creek of 12 Lime Tree Walk is appointed caretaker.
In August 1949 the premises were freely conveyed from the Ministry of Education to the Bedfordshire Education Committee, as long as it continued to be used for community purposes.
In February 1950, the Bedfordshire Education Committee, decided full use of the premises, should be made by various organisations.
At Bedfordshire Education Committee of the 15th November 1952, it was decided to continue using the building as additional school accommodation during the day, a Youth Employment Bureau and further education evening classes. It was also decided that in view of the state of the national economy, plans would be withheld regarding the provision of a new community centre in Biggleswade.
It was reported to the Bedfordshire Education Committee of the 18th December 1953 that 349 meetings had been held at the Avenue Centre during the past year. These included the Biggleswade Athletics Club, Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild, Evening Townswomen’s Guild,, Workers Education Association, Coronation Committee, Biggleswade & District Cage Bird Society and Biggleswade Evening Institute. Demand for the Centre was steadily increasing.
On 21st March 1967 The Avenue Club was burgled and the locks had to be replaced at a cost of £11.19.5.
On the 27th May 1968 there was a fire causing £330 of damage, although the building continued to be used for school purposes.
In August 1982 a report was prepared on the condition of the building, which had been badly maintained. Essential maintenance would cost approximately £9,000. This report was discussed at the Planning and General Purposes Meeting of 13th October 1982, and it was decided that 1. the building should be demolished 2. discussions should take place with local people to consider relocation of activities and provision of temporary accommodation.
There was a meeting at Lawnside School on 15th November 1982 and discussions were held about the Biggleswade Town Council taking over the building on a lease and part of the building being demolished.
At the Education Planning and General Purposes Committee meeting of 9th February 1983 it was declared surplus to educational requirements as Lawnside did not need it anymore. Further discussions had been held with a view to relocating various activities but no alternative premises had been found for use by local residents. It was also decided that Biggleswade Town Council should be given first option on the site and building.
In August 1983 following negotiations with Biggleswade Town Council it was agreed that they would purchase the site and building in its current condition for £21,500 and would accept the present occupants.
The property was conveyed to Biggleswade Town Council on 24th April 1984.
No comments:
Post a Comment