Farewell to the Copeland Centre Coffee Mornings

Residents gathered for a fond farewell to the Copeland Centre's popular Monday coffee mornings in Bretton. While uncertainty remains over the future of both the Copeland and Paston Farm community hubs, attendees enjoyed a final morning of friendship, companionship and music from entertainer Malcolm Church.

Farewell to the Copeland Centre Coffee Mornings

By Chris Elliott

I have enjoyed a few trips over to the Copeland Centre in Bretton to attend the busy and well-attended Monday coffee mornings, but sadly, this was the last one as the council-owned building may now be used for other purposes.

Ena McKinley, the energetic organiser of the coffee mornings, read an email statement to Reform Councillor John Bolton which, in brief, said that Peterborough City Council was closing the centre to public use until its future purpose has been decided.

Councillor John Bolton speaking to residents at the final Copeland Centre coffee morning in Bretton, discussing efforts to support the future of the valued community hub.

Councillor John Bolton addresses attendees at the final Copeland Centre coffee morning.

Ena McKinsley, organiser of the Copeland Centre coffee mornings, addresses attendees during the final gathering, sharing news about the future of the community hub.

Ena McKinsley speaking at the final coffee morning at the Copeland Centre.

Reform Councillor John Bolton, who is a regular visitor, also spoke to those attending. He said he was working hard, both as a Peterborough City Council councillor and as a member of the local parish council, to help find ways to keep the community hub operating, recognising the important role it plays in bringing residents together for social gatherings and activities.

Peterborough City Council also closed the Paston Farm Community Centre around a month ago despite the significant increase in its use over the past 19 months for community events, groups and activities. Its restaurant has also ceased operating while decisions are made about the building’s future.

Two Commuinity Hubs Have Closed

Peterborough City Council has now closed both the Copeland Centre and Paston Farm Community Centre while surveys are carried out and future refurbishment options are assessed to determine which location would be best suited for the Dementia Resource Centre.

Users of both community hubs are fully supportive of the Dementia Resource Centre and are happy to share resources. However, in the meantime, both centres have been closed to public use while the council conducts its surveys and decides which building is most suitable for the relocation of the Dementia Resource Centre, while also considering future community use.

So that was the sad news, but the wonderful news was that many lonely elderly people in the community were enjoying their last get-together at the Copeland Centre, sharing friendship, laughter and companionship while enjoying the many heartwarming songs performed by visiting entertainer Malcolm Church, as you will see in the video below.

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