Unholy row over church playgroup

Reporter: Beatriz Ayala
Date online: 17 July 2009

A CHURCH pastor has defended his decision which could see a pre-school group shut down.

Happy Days pre-school club, which also runs before and after-school sessions, has been based at Elim Foursquare Church, Greenacres Road, for 17 years.

Supervisor Ruth Meanock (37) had planned to take over from manager Susan Pugh and run just the pre-school sessions from September.

But Ruth, of Clarksfield, said the group has been told to pack its bags.

She added: “Initially, I spoke to the pastor on the phone about meeting the same rent in September.

“The phone call was quite positive and he said it wouldn’t be a problem, but he phoned me back the same evening and said I couldn’t meet the rent costs.

“He then went away on holiday, and someone else from the church told me I couldn’t have the room and we had to get out.”

Susan Pugh (44), of Watersheddings, admits she never signed a contract with the church during her 12 years as manager.

Ruth said: “We’re very disappointed with the church, they’ve let the community down, 15 children were due to start in September.

“We’re looking for another building, I do want to give these children the childcare that is needed.

“There are four people now out of work and parents are very upset.”

However, church pastor Wilfred Achumba said he was told Happy Days was closing and he had not been informed about plans for it to continue in September.

He said: “Before I went away, Susan told me she wanted to pack it up and was setting up elsewhere.

“She never told me she was selling the business to someone else. If you are finishing, you should let people know exactly what you are doing.

“Now Ruth is taking over, she wants to use a room upstairs for all the children but it has no proper kitchen or toilets. We as a church have an obligation to other groups using the church and to do things properly.”

Pastor Achumba said Happy Days was welcome to re-apply for space at the church.

He said anyone leasing out rooms inside the church would have to sign a contract with terms and conditions, adding: “School is over until September so now it’s time to discuss the matter.”