17.02.2020
‘A Place of Joy and Hospitality’ – Newly Renovated Ashford Hub Reopens
Storm Dennis didn’t dampen the spirits of parishioners of Killiskey and the wider community in Ashford who turned out in force for the reopening of The Hub on Saturday afternoon (February 15). The newly renovated facility which includes Ashford Charity Shop and a parish and community meeting room, was reopened by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
The charity shop and meeting room first opened eight years ago. They play a vital role in the life of Killiskey parish as well as the wider Ashford community. The meeting room provides a venue for a weekly Knit & Stitch group as well as regular community coffee mornings and parish meetings. Over the last month the charity shop has had a total make–over with a new layout, heating and floor covering. The meeting room, kitchen and toilets have also been refreshed.
The Hub is run entirely by volunteers. When it first opened the aim was to provide meeting and office space for the parish but just as importantly it was to act as a gathering point for the whole community. It initially depended on the parish for support but over the last three years it has been able to stand alone through its sales of second–hand clothing, greeting cards, books and bric–a–brac. They have been able to give €2,000 to the parish for charity and over €15,000 has been raised by the regular community coffee mornings for a wide variety of good causes.
Archbishop Jackson described The Hub as a tremendous success story. “It’s about companionship as much as it is about the transactions. People come here to meet other people and that brings life back to the heart of the community. People have come here and found themselves comforted. It is important that the Church can play its part in the building of community and volunteers are the lifeblood of community. Thank you to all who have transformed this building and to the volunteers for your continued willingness to make this a place of joy and hospitality,” he said.
The Archbishop paid tribute to the Revd Ken Rue for his consistently effective work for the parish and the community and to Lesley Rue who manages The Hub.
Lesley Rue said it was hard to believe that The Hub had been open for eight years and thanked all the volunteers who helped make it such a success. “Over the years we’ve got to know the people who come into us week after week; they’re more like friends than customers. We appreciate their loyalty, custom and the support that they have given,” she commented. She also thanked all who had assisted with the renovation project.
The Revd Ken Rue pointed out the importance of The Hub. “It may look like a shop and it is a shop. But for many people it is also an opportunity to come and have a chat. It is also a room for meetings and for building up community. We are blessed with our neighbours and with the great support we get from the community, especially from Fr Eamon. The money raised by the coffee mornings comes from the people of the whole area,” he explained.