A charity's annual general meeting can sometimes be quite a dull affair, but not at Charles Booth Centre, where a packed room heard how, despite covid, the centre has been able to bounce back and end the financial year with a surplus of over £13,000.

Over the last year, the centre team has worked hard to modernise the building, which comprises of a 17th century farmhouse with 1900s extension, by updating both bars and renewing the downstairs kitchen, and they are currently working to provide an extra toilet upstairs.

The addition of a disabled lift has considerably helped those less mobile to be able to access events in the upstairs hall in which various events are planned.

July will see the return of Thringstone's Music Festival, plus an Abba tribute night is planned, and, in May, the centre will host its first Eurovision party with big screen.

With the help of various grants, the centre has been able to provide new equipment, such as a projector and a new floor cleaner, and gain help with heating issues, as well as providing a new free boxing class for youngsters to attend.

A knock-through downstairs has created more room for parties and exhibitions, and whilst the charity inherited good reserves from its time under council control, the Centre says it is not a limitless pit, and money has to be spent wisely on this old building.

Further grants are in the pipeline with the hope of being able to bring a monthly family movie night, as well as work to the windows and providing better double glazing plus improving the centre's heating system.

This is all part of the green agenda to which the centre has been working for some time.

The audience asked a series of questions and heard many exciting plans, so with the appointment of a new centre manager and a new events manager, things are looking promising going forward.

However, the centre still needs help. Currently it is seeking volunteers to help with events, plus paid bar staff, and someone to join the ranks of the trustees.

This is a voluntary position where someone with transferable skillsets could be part of an exciting period in the centre's history.

Anybody with any interest in any of these positions should contact the centre direct on [email protected] or ring the centre any weekday morning on 01530 222337.