A COMMUNITY centre that has been at the heart of life in Nythe for 30 years could face closure if volunteers don't come forward to help run it.

About 20 different community groups use the centre in The Drive each week and say it is vital for their existence.

But they could all soon be homeless if the appeal for volunteers falls on deaf ears.

Clare Holborow organises dance classes for children aged two to 12 at the community centre every Monday evening.

She said: "It's important that the centre stays open. It's somewhere for the kids to come which is only a walk away from their homes and their parents know they're safe.

"But obviously it's not just the children who benefit from the centre, it's everyone in and around here."

Nythe's parent and toddler group has been operating from the centre for 30 years and generations of children have attended it.

Mothers who once took their own children now take their grandchildren and say the possible closure of the centre would have devastating effects.

Christine Hay, 50, has been involved with the group for almost 20 years.

She said: "If the centre closes, we would have no choice but to close our group after 30 years, which would be sad.

"Where would we all go? We'd have no choice but to wind it up."

Another group reliant on the centre is the Nythe Painting Club, which meets at the centre every Thursday.

Members say they would be lost without it.

Treasurer Margaret Gawthorn, 68, said: "We would miss the centre terribly but it really seems they need to attract some younger people to get involved and volunteer.

"So much of the work falls to pensioners. "

The centre, which has been an integral part of the community since Nythe was built in the late 1960s, is in desperate need of volunteers for its management team.

At the moment a team of five retired people look after the day-to-day running of the centre, as well as taking care of cleaning duties and cash flow.

Treasurer June Phillips, 65, says the team is in need of some new blood, preferably from the younger generation.

"We're all retired folk and work hard to keep the centre going," said Mrs Phillips.

"But we could do with some younger people to give up just a little bit of their time for the centre and the community.

"The centre is used every day by one group or another and is very important to Nythe.

"It's been here as long as the homes have and many people would just be stuck without it."

A meeting to discuss the future of the centre is scheduled for June 21 at 7pm at Nythe Community Centre.

Anyone wishing to volunteer their services should call 01793 520059 or go along to the meeting.

Emma-Kate Lidbury