Dear Trust supporters,

We have some very good news! We haven't actually signed the lease for the Hall yet (although this will be happening soon), but we are delighted to announce that the Trust is now a registered charity! (registration number 1146677). Thank you very much to everyone who got us this far, and most specially to CADVAS (www.cadvas.org).

As we wait for the last bits of the legal documents to be ready for all three parties to sign (the council, Curzon cinemas and the Trust), and finalise our planning application for the refurbishment, we are having to pay more and more professional services bills (from drainage surveys to surveyors reports) and we need to raise many more funds. As you all know the funds from Curzon cinemas cover the essential urgent works (mostly the new roof and relocation of toilets), but the Hall needs a lot more TLC, after many years of underinvestment, and the better the condition of the building when it re-opens under Trust management, the better its chances of being a successful venue.

So please help. Join the Trust as members (Application form: westgate-community-trust-ltd-members-form-february-2012.pdf), donate if you can, and volunteer (everything helps, from taking up a regular role, to one offs).

Kind regards and a very happy Easter to you all,

Adelina Comas-Herrera
(on behalf of the Westgate Community Trust board).

westgate-community-trust-ltd-members-form-february-2012.pdf

Westgate Community Trust are delighted to have won a Natwest CommunityForce award worth £6,000, thanks to 384 people voting for the Trust. Thanks to all of you who voted (or tried to vote!), who spread the word and who asked all your friends to vote. These funds are coming at a crucial time, just when we are starting to have to pay legal and other professional fees relating to taking over the Hall and applying for planning permission for its refurbishment.

It will make a huge difference to be able to meet these costs from the award, as it means that the funds that we have been able to raise through events, memberships and donation can be used towards the costs of refurbishment and to bridge the lack of revenue while the Hall is closed for refurbishment.

http://www.westgatecommunityhall.org.uk/news.shtml for more info.

Have a great night out with outstanding food provided by Canterbury Curry Club and a quiz, at Westgate Hall, Canterbury. £10 all in, including the meal and quiz - and bring your own drinks.

Following a huge success last year we are pleased to inform you that we are planning to arrange a "Festival of lights" Diwali at the Westgate Hall, Canterbury, on Sat. 29 October from 6PM to 10:30PM.

If you are interested in holding a stall during the day, from 10 AM to 4 PM then please contact me ASAP. The allocation of the stalls, prices, etc. will be done at later stage once we know the number of stall takers and the type of merchandise on offer to mark the Diwali celebrations in Canterbury.

Happy Diwali, and we look forward to see you at Westgate Hall...