Save the Watergate Estate Common Room, Crook

Local man Graham Tomaszko appeals for local support.

Local man Graham Tomaszko appeals for local support to save the Watergate Estate Common Room Crook.

Graham Tomaszko is campaigning to breathe a new lease of life into The Watergate Estate common room.Talking to Paul Gittins on the “Mornings & more Show” Graham said that the buidling, (a bungalow and common room) currently owned by the council had been originally put aside for the elderly,  but after being shut down in 2000 has lay boarded up and derelict for over 10 years leaving it vulnerable to graffiti and vandalism.

Graham explained  that he hopes to use the building for a multitude of things like “martial arts centre, mothers and toddlers groups, coffee mornings, keep fit classes,kids & teens after school youth club” & explained how useful it would be for the local kids “there’s nothing on the estate for them” “children are like puppies and kittens if you leave them alone then they can be disruptive but if they have something to do they’re happy”

With letters of support from Wear Valley council, the police, the local councillor, Area Action Partnership & the Neighbour Watch Graham hopes to move his campaign further forward & get the support of local residents explaining that there are concerns over issue like parking, noise, potential parties, and wants to ensure the local residents that all activities will be “closely controlled & supervised by adults at all times” & that the centre wouldnt stay open late.

Graham has currently been campaigning for a year to save the building and he wants it open for the benefit of the whole community explaining that “a derelict building brings down the value of neighbouring properties and brings the people down but if there’s life in the community then the community becomes alive”

Hear the interview 

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If you would like to show support then you can visit:-  Save Watergate Estate Common Room