New headquarters in Potters Bar

After years of hard negotiation, work has at long last started on the St John Ambulance site in The Walk, Potters Bar.

Chairman of the building committee, Roger Moore, said that he was very relieved that all agreements had now been resolved, including the parking on their land to the rear of the site and work has started on building a new first aid training centre and divisional headquarters for St John Ambulance.

Construction is in the hands of S & M Builders, a local firm, and work should be completed by March 08. Designed by local architect Derek Dredge, it will comprise a two-storey office complex and a single storey, vaulted training hall.

The first floor offices have been let on a long lease to a commercial organisation which has provided part of the funds necessary to carry out the development and all the ground floor will be occupied by St John Ambulance.

Once completed Hertfordshire St John Ambulance will organise First aid at work training sessions for local companies while on some evenings there will be a mixture of first aid courses to suit local needs. A new headquarters should also help to gain new members for the division.

Fundraising committee member, Robin Loader, says that while funds are in place for the development of the building, the committee is still seeking nearly £20,000 to fully fit out the new headquarters for items such as tables, chairs, kitchen equipment and the security of the building.

One recent fundraising success was a £1,000 fitting out donation from the Hertfordshire Community Foundation. Sales of plaques, whereby a person or company can have their name or appropriate wording inscribed onto a plaque, which will then be cemented onto the inside entrance wall, continue to be a popular way of helping this cause with over 130 sold to date.

For further information and to make offers of help including purchase of plaques then please contact Roger Moore