Harry Mackie with a class at the Centre |
Harry Mackie (pictured with a class above) who has been running the Centre for years retired at the end of term. Known to generations of Brent children he retired without fanfare or fuss.
His contribution to environmental education in Brent deserves wider recognition.
That aside, I have since heard that following the advertisements for the sale of the lease, that Carey's (operating in Brent under the name Seneca) charity arm The Careys Foundation LINK and the Thames21 charity LINK have expressed an interest in running the Centre. Thames21 is already known in Brent through its work with schools and organising community cleanups of our many waterways. Achieving a base in Brent would make sense to their operation.
The Welsh Harp reservoir on Sunday afternoon |
She said it was 'too early to say' if this could mean a joint partnership with Careys Foundation.
Siobhan of Careys Foundation said, 'I can confirm Careys Foundation did tender for the WHEEC but at this time I am unable to comment as the tender process is still live until the final decision by the Cabinet in September. It has been a privilege for Careys Foundation to have had the opportunity to support sucj a wonderful initiative as the WHEEC since 2011.
I understand that Oakington Manor Primary School and Roe Green Junior School did not put in a bid but they were keen to work with Careys.
This means that another Brent Council facility will go over to the charity sector.
Provisional bookings had been made for Autumn Term which starts next month but it is not clear how keeping the schools informed of whether these will go ahead will be managed with no office in existence.
A report on the future of the Centre is due to go to Cabinet on September 21st.