AN ESTATE is hoping to resurrect a community centre from the ashes of a failed social club.

Residents living in Pinnocks Way, Dean Court, Cumnor, are hoping to raise £40,000 to establish a new community hub following the collapse of the estate’s social club three months ago.

The closure of the club in May meant an afternoon kids’ club for children aged seven to 11 was left temporarily homeless and had to move to St Andrew’s Church in Orchard Road.

It also led to the demise of the Dean Court Aunt Sally team, a monthly swap shop and a popular scrabble club.

Anna Pearson, of Pinnocks Way, is part of an eight-strong working group formed to set up the centre.

The group is holding a community barbecue and games day today to raise awareness and funds for the new centre.

Miss Pearson, 27, said: “Since the social club closed there’s not been any community facility or resource that we can use.

“We’d very much like to see something for the whole community right on their doorstep especially for people who can’t travel very far. It’s very important to have a community centre right in the heart of Dean Court that people can use to hold clubs or have birthday parties, and meet other people and make friends.”

The social club started in July 2006 when a group of local residents took over and renovated the building.

But volunteers agreed to wind up the club in May when the centre’s public liability insurance ran out and they were unable to obtain new cover.

Miss Pearson said the building needed rewiring and redecorating.

Priscilla Waugh, of Queens Close, said: “The difference this centre could make to the community is immeasurable. A lot of us feel left out here.

“We’re not in Botley we’re in Cumnor, but we’re also very far from the leafy reaches of the village.

“It was a great shame to lose the club The people who were running it tried so hard and they were just swimming against a tide.”

The barbecue is in the new Dean Court play park from noon to 3pm, or at St Andrew’s if the weather is wet.

To join in, email deancourt.communitycentre@gmail.com