This page is in memory of and dedicated to Mrs Joan McGill who had a dream that she materialised on the earth. Please see below a story written by Joan.
The Whomerley Centre had a dedicated "mother" her name was Mrs Martha Allum, she was an inspiration to all who met her.
Our thanks go out to all the people who helped in anyway to bring this Centre into existance.The list is long with individuals who gave up their time, to groups who provided materials and the many people who made donations etc.
Joan McGill
I had a vision back in 1961 to open a Spiritualist Church in Stevenage. This came about when we hired rooms at the Family Centre in the Town of Stevenage, before moving to the Bedwell Community Centre. It has always been my dream that one day I would open up a Centre for the Community not just a Spiritualist Church for Sunday Services.
In 1992 after looking at several possible sites we purchased a £10000.00 lease for the Old Sea Scout hut in Spring Drive, Broadwater Area of Stevenage.
I remember the first time I entered this hut with my husband and other members of the Church. It was a run down battered hut, and our thoughts were "What have we done".
But to my joy my Vice President's husband Mr Bob Luck came to our rescue and said he would help us rebuild this hut, and he dedicated a whole year of his time to this end. He and the Committee and Members and helpers of the Church set about this task. Replacing walls, windows, doors, flooring, toilets etc. We were very fortunate to have friends of the Sai Baba Group donating many hundreds of pounds for fixtures and fittings. The kitchen fittings were donated by Miss Janet Holland a Church Member. Also many other donations were made by other Church Members.
The Centre is complete now with a car park and a beautiful garden for people to sit in. This Centre is still a Spiritualist Church but we have many other activities going on. Yoga, Sai Baba Group, Discussion Evenings, Clairvoyance Evenings and many more.
During the week on a Monday, Thursday and Friday the Centre is used by a variety of Complimentary Therapists who give a donation towards the up keep of the building.
This ensures that the doors of this Centre will always remain open for all those who want to call in for a chat and a cup of tea.
My Love and Thanks to all who made this possible
Joan
FOOTNOTE
Joan McGill passed to Spirit on the 17th December 1997.
The land this Centre stand on was sold to us by the Stevenage Borough Council in 1999, so Joan wish has come true.