A NEW £30,000 aviation centre in Biggin Hill is set to help young flying fans "get their dreams off the ground".

South London Scouts are launching an appeal to raise the cash for a brand new base in the grounds of the terminal.

Their current property on the aTWO caring youngsters have entered the political fray in Anerley by campaigning to save the town hall and library, which are threatened by council cuts.

Sarah McKeen, 11, and her sister Kelly, eight, have spent all their spare time in the last two weeks designing posters and persuading local shops and schools to take petitions.

They were inspired to act after the News Shopper reported on November 7 that the town hall, and the library within it which attracts more than 55,000 visits annually, were on a hit-list of possible council cuts.

The girls, who live in Cornish Grove, have used the library and other town hall facilities all their lives and go there straight from school four nights a week to do homework.

Anerley Primary School pupil Kelly, who wants to be a vet when she leaves school, said: "I really like using the library and going to fun days at the town hall."

Her sister Sarah added: "Loads of people use these buildings, like pensioners and babies and disabled people, and they might have nowhere else to go. I would like to tell the councillors that they shouldn't close it."

Mother Wendy, 40, says she is proud of her two daughters. "They've worked really hard in their spare time, as well as doing homework and other things.

"And I agree with their campaign. Anerley is being treated like a poor relation. The town hall is an important landmark."

Anerley resident mother-of-four Breda Gardner, 38, said: "The town hall is at the heart of this community. We won't let it go without a fight. They say it's not making money but we pay a vast amount of council tax. What will we get for it if the facilities go?"

Council leader Councillor Michael Tickner said: "A variety of proposals are being discussed regarding facilities in Anerley.

"The town hall is a listed building and we want to keep that. We want to keep the public hall facility as that is important for the community. We would have to look at other arrangements for other facilities.

"Plans to merge Penge and Anerley libraries are being looked at. A new library for the two areas is one option."

Proposals aimed at saving several hundred thousand pounds are likely to be discussed at a meeting of the council's leisure and community services committee on January 24.

November 22, 2001 10:48

Sarah Warden