WINCHESTER residents helped celebrate the 20th anniversary of a community centre.

Some 80 people attended the annual general meeting at the Carroll Centre in Stanmore. (OCT 9) Guest speaker was Dorothy Flynn, a longstanding volunteer who was one of the founding members and fundraising campaigners for the centre. She was awarded the MBE for her work.

Speaking beforehand, she said: “It’s proved itself. I think it’s very important; the area needs somewhere like this. Stanmore are very proud to have this and it has been a real model for other centres.”

The chairman, Colin Smith, clarified rumours over the recent proposed move to the New Queen’s Head pub site on Stanmore Lane.

He said: “We carefully considered that over some months and we decided it would not be in the best interest because it would be such a huge use of resources and would cause the demolition of a building that is only 20 years old. The centre will not be moving.”

City councillor Jamie Scott said: “I spoke (at the AGM) last year and was really proud to do that. We owe an awful lot to Dorothy Flynn. A lot of this would never have happened without the sheer determination from her. Words fail me as to how much we owe her.”

The centre referred to several of its achievements over the last year, including the addition of community midwives as well as placements for social work students from Winchester University.

Mrs Flynn went on to give a brief history of the centre and gave praise to past and present managers.

“The centre needs your time and your support,” she said. “Just as it did 20 years ago. With your help even more can be achieved.”

Mrs Flynn’s speech was given huge applause and a newly painted mural was presented to her.

Volunteers at the centre were also presented with awards before one of the local dance groups entertained the audience with a well-rehearsed routine.