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From the past
HAVING an hour to spare, I popped into our excellent Redditch Library to peruse the past editions of The Redditch Indicator'.
Co-incidentally, on opening the files, my eyes were attracted to the front page of a 1983 newspaper, that contained a report on the opening of Dingleside Middle School's Library.
The front page of last week's Advertiser, reported the opening of Alvechurch Middle School and Crown Meadow First School's new edifice, financed by the Private Finance Initiative.
I have just opened a copy of "Dear Sir/Madam", still available in Redditch Library, by a certain CT Wareing, of whom readers may have heard of, when on page 115 I read;
"During the late 1970's and early 80's, youth unemployment, redundant apprentices, was a great problem. CITB staff worked hard to find youngsters jobs; especially those that had been selected for
CITB six-month's full time, integrated craft training courses. Government funds were made available to support redundant apprentices and "award holders", in full-time training. We were allowed to engage in "project work", building works that would not normally be effected without a free supply of labour. Local agreement of employers and trade unionists had to be given.
We built cricket-pavilions, work at Dudley Zoo, and also a major project at Dingleside. The PTA at Dingleside, a school that I have had the honour to serve as chairman of the Governing Body since 1970, are quite excellent. Since 1970, we have received two mini-buses, they have bought equipment, other gifts too numerous to list here. Their ambition was to build a library!
To this end, £8,500 had been raised when we applied for and relieved £1,000 from Redditch Development Corporation's social development fund. At a meeting, I put it to the PTA that we should proceed using CITB and college trainees.
Then follows how the work was effected, finally mentioning that the PTA laid carpet, tiles and installed furnishings.
It was mentioned some time ago that I was as "sick as a parrot", by the closure of Dingleside Middle School. Believe me, I am not alone!
Tom Wareing
Redditch
10:12am Tuesday 22nd April 2008
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