16 July 2024: The Royal British Legion and Mortimer parish council issued this joint press release:
“The Royal British Legion are intending to transfer their Trusteeship of Garth Hall, Mortimer. Following a publicity campaign earlier this year, a potential new Trustee has been identified to take over the Trust under which the property/land is held. The intention is that this organisation, known currently as the “Mortimer Hobby Hall & Repair Cafe” will be allowed a period of months in which to set up a new organisation, appoint new Trustees and raise funds to refurbish and fit out the property to their specification and for running costs into the foreseeable future. The interest from the Hobby Hall & Repair Cafe is provisional at this stage, because there remains uncertainty as to whether they will be able to raise sufficient funds to be able to continue with their proposals, so their progress will be monitored.”
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Mortimer Hobby Hall and Repair Cafe working group had earlier stated “we are pleased to announce that we have been successful in our bid to take over the Garth Club land and building from the Royal British Legion, for wider community use“… “There is a lot to do before the hall is open and we will be looking for volunteers and helpers to engage with the project over a wide range of skills. We hope to be able to say more at a public meeting mid September“.
Royal Berkshire Boxing, the other applicant, states “Unfortunately, Royal Berkshire Boxing was unsuccessful in our bid to take over trusteeship of Garth Hall. One of our main objectives was to tackle antisocial behaviour head on by providing young people of our community a way to channel their energy into something positive whilst instilling the values of discipline and respect. Disappointingly, we now can’t be part of that particular challenge. Congratulations to Mortimer hobby hall and repair cafe who were successful instead. As a third generation Mortimer resident, I’m happy that the hall is to be restored and put to use regardless and look forward to seeing the progress they make, I’m sure they also have plenty of great ideas to tackle the problem and provide our young people with lots of things to be involved with”.
