The VIP visitors were two West Sussex county councillors who are fronting a project which would decimate the Sussex Road community centre's many daytime facilities.

Pat Arculus and Peter Griffiths saw at first hand the centre's wide range of activities, including the gym, and they also sat down with members of the lunch club to enjoy a chicken dinner.

And at the end of the visit, there was a positive reaction from Mrs Arculus, who is county cabinet member for children and young people's services.

Impressed

"I have been very impressed with the centre," she told the Herald.

"Obviously, the community love it, and it is very well used with a wide variety of activities for different age groups.

"There is a very friendly atmosphere and it is something Worthing should be proud of."

Surprised

Centre supporter Irene Richards, who is county councillor for Worthing East division, said: "I think they were both surprised by all the different activities that go on.

"Our users include people from Coastal Enterprises, in Brougham Road.

"Their youngsters come along to help in the kitchens, and they also use the leisure facilities in their own right.

"If you were setting up a community centre from the start, then this is the sort of place it should be."

Vulnerable

Dave Arsenault, chairman of the centre's management committee, said that about 500 people came through the doors each week, and they were aged from 13 to 99.

"Many of the people who come here are vulnerable, and they like to come here and feel happy socialising with others.

"There is nowhere else like this in Worthing, and we are open seven days a week, from 7am to 10.30pm.

"We are a registered charity, and we have to fund the £70,000 it costs each year to run the centre.

County grants

"We used to receive county and social services grants, but these stopped some years ago.

"All we get now from the county is a grant for youth services."

Dave paid a warm tribute to the work of centre administrator Doreen Read, who added that the popular lunch club served a total of 75 meals Monday to Friday, and they were much appreciated by the lunch club members.

Friendliness

Ron and Avril Westlake, of Grafton Gardens, Sompting, who were enjoying their first taste of the lunch club's fare, enthused over the community centre's friendliness.

Ron, aged 77, was a "guest" of Avril, who has been attending the centre for the last 14 years, mainly to play table tennis.

"We only just need to turn up to play, and you can all join in," said Avril.

"Otherwise, if I went to Lancing Leisure Centre, I would have to find someone to go as a pair.

"Everyone is so friendly, and it is the only place in Worthing which is suitable for people like us."

Ron added: "And from now on, I'll be coming here regularly, too."

Keeping fit

Two schoolgirls who enjoy their Wednesday visits to Sidney Walter are Leigh Tingley, aged 14, and 15-year-old Kathryn Richards.

Leigh, who attends Davison School, said: "I come for the keep-fit classes, and my mum, Maggie, is herself going to start this week."

Kathryn, who starts at Worthing High School in September, said: "I started coming here only this year, and my mum and dad are all in favour.

"It is a very friendly environment and there is always someone here to help you."

Successful

Viv Hallworth, who lives in Upper High Street, Worthing, attends the centre once a week for lunch and her beloved table tennis. "It is very successful," she said, "catering for all members of the community.

"And success should never be punished.

"The Christmas lunch is the best one anywhere and we all help out, the young, old and disabled."

Eye-opener

Her daytime visit to the centre was a "real eye-opener" for borough councillor and management committee member Hazel Thorpe, who usually attends Lions Club meetings at the premises in the evening.

"It should stay open and be developed further," she said.

Social mix

John Montgomery, aged 76, of Somerset Road, Ferring, has been attending the centre two or three times a week for the past six years.

"I come to play table tennis and snooker.

"We have built it up to such an extent that many of us would not know where else to go, being able to mix with other people like this," he said.

"I really look forward to coming down here, meeting such very nice people.

"We would be very, very disappointed if we could not keep these activities going."


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