MP Says 'London Should be Proud'

Erith and Thamesmead MP Teresa Pearce visited Trust Thamesmead's two capital projects, Sporting Club Thamesmead and The Link Thamesmead last week.

The visit, to which a number of Head-teachers were also invited, was a chance for key people to grasp the potential and sheer scale of the two projects for themselves.

Trust Thamesmead's Chief Executive Officer, Mick Hayes, said: “The Trust is working closely with Bexley and Greenwich Councils and we are in regular contact with the schools, keeping them up to date with the progress of these two projects but nothing beats seeing them for yourself. Only then can you see the vastness of the developments and what they will offer and potentially achieve.”

The Link Thamesmead, a £5.65m state-of-the-art community facility under the Harrow Manor Way flyover in South Thamesmead, which Trust Thamesmead secured a £5million grant from myplace* for, will offer:

• Activities-singing, drama, acting, fitness gym, motorcycle workshops, a music studio, climbing wall and ropes course, water sports, a performance space and more!
• Opportunities-training, volunteering, work experience, advice and guidance
• Spaces for hire-classrooms, offices, meeting rooms, rehearsal spaces and a 160 seat performance studio
• Chill out areas-internet access and café

Current Link residents such as the Archway Project and Thamesmead Gym continue to open their doors every day, with all the new facilities being available in early 2012.

Whilst Sporting Club Thamesmead, a £5m world class community sports and leisure hub based in Bayliss Avenue will offer:

• Grass pitches
• 3G pitch
• A multi outdoor games area
• Indoor studio
• Function rooms with bar for hire

The grass pitches are already available to hire, with rest of the facility opening its doors in early 2012.

Teresa Pearce MP said: “Trust Thamesmead's Sporting Club Thamesmead and The Link Thamesmead are unique. I cannot wait until next year when they are open and full of children and local people. They are going to offer so much. London should be proud.”

*myplace is a multi-million pound government programme which delivers world class places for young people to go, which is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and administered by the Big Fund (BIG), the non-Lottery funding operation of the Big Lottery Fund.