'You can breathe life back into Crook' Passionate plea to local volunteers – ‘drive home community projects’
DISUSED community buildings could be brought back to life if a local martial arts expert gets his way.
Sensei Graham Tomaszko, who runs Mohan Jujitsu in Crook, wants Durham County Council to hand over empty buildings to the community.
He believes there are enough willing volunteers in Wear Valley to enable the buildings to be run as self-financing enterprises, providing much-needed space for clubs and activities.
Passionate about the project, Mr Tomaszko has set up a company – Mohan Community Leisure Services – to drive it forward.
“I want to put life back into our communities at a time when so much is being taken away,” said Mr Tomaszko, who successfully transformed the Baptist Church on Grey Street into a training facility for children four years ago.
“It is not about the big society but the caring society.”
He intends to invest 10 per cent of his profit from Mohan Jujitsu into the scheme and would love to hear from anyone groups, businesses or individuals who would like to get involved.
According to Durham County Council there are three surplus buildings in Wear Valley.
Gerard Darby, the authority’s Planning and Investment Manager, said: “We are obliged to obtain the best price when selling property, however there are occasions where we can take other factors into account if proposals are likely to contribute to the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental well-being on an area.”
Meanwhile, Mr Tomaszko remains enthusiastic about his proposal to transform Watergate Estate Common Room in Bedburn Close into a vibrant community hub.
The idea has attracted much support but also met strong opposition from some residents, who argue it would create noise, anti-social behaviour and parking problems.
However, nearby residents Katie Eliot, 31, and her mother Louviena Eliot, 61, both welcome the idea.
Katie Eliot suffers from a genetic condition that causes her to develop tumours and has mobility problems due to a recent operation on her legs.
The young mum said it was difficult for her to travel long distances, adding: “To have something like this on my doorstep would be fantastic as I could take Daniel to the toddler group, attend craft sessions and meet other mums.”