Broken Paste
Table
It all started with a broken paste table found at Poynings boot
sale. Green Centre Creative Director, Melanie Rees, recovered and
repaired it. A former Special Needs Head Teacher she took it to the
streets of Brighton & Hove and set up class! The subject -
Global Warming and Climate Change.
Donated Car
Christened The Green Workshop, regular appearances at George St
Farmers market in Hove led to a flurry of invitations; schools,
businesses, fairs and festivals including Shoreham Beach Dreams,
Brighton Science Festival, BBC Springwatch, Dorothy Stringer
Environmental Fayre, Brighton Pride, etc. Without our donated car,
attending these would not have been possible.
Permanent Digs
"Where can we come and see you?" This was to become a regular
question from the general public. Followed by,"You need a permanent
site."
We set about researching this option. We believed visibility to
be a key issue so we looked at central locations including the
Laines in Brighton and George Street in Hove. Rents, rates,
utilities would cost approximately £30,000 a year. In real terms
that would mean we would have to find £577 a week! As an education
project this level of fund raising is not achievable.
Mobile Library
A volunteer suggested we purchase a mobile library and convert
it. We thought this a splendid idea and contacted the council who
in turn suggested acquiring a bus to convert. We contacted Tom
Druitt, Director of The Big Lemon, "So where does one purchase a
bus Tom?" Not only did we discover where to purchase a bus but we
also discovered we can purchase two decks for the same price as
one! What a conundrum! You can purchase a 2nd hand double decker
for as little as £4,000 however a good conversion will cost
£20,000. According to my Maths that's £24,000, which is nearly as
expensive as permanent digs!
Finally
You wait for ages... then two come along at once While taking a
break from the search for premises or a bus, two came along at
once; a fantastic bus and a fantastic premises. We decided to
pursue both with equal energy and leave it in the lap of the Gods
believing that which ever one worked out best was the one we were
destined to have. Finally, The Green Centre at 39 Manor Hill,
Whitehawk It has taken 2 years 7 months from paste table to
premises. And so begins a new and exciting journey...
