Westhoughton Community Network

group for and run by community groups in Westhoughton

W.A.V.E. (Westhoughton Active Volunteer Enterprise) managing the John Holt Community Centre John Holt Centre

Background

John Holt Community Centre, Birch Avenue, Westhoughton Located on Birch Avenue on the Washacre estate in Westhoughton, the centre was originally built and run by Bolton Council to provide a youth centre, community support and a meeting facility for local residents. The centre became the base for HACFRA (Hindleys and Clough Farm Residents Association), whose volunteers helped run it, organising events, trips and activities - high profile events included Summer Fun Days and the annual Washacre FM community radio broadcast. In 2013, the management and running of the centre was taken on by WAVE (Westhoughton Active Volunteer Enterprise), a Community Interest Company (CIC), with the centre leased from the Council. The management team, as well as day-to-day operations, is responsible for budgeting, fundraising, programming, as well as making sure the John Holt Centre serves the wider community of Westhoughton.

The Centre comprises of a large room which has a café facility, suitable for meetings of up to 50 people, dance and fitness classes; a smaller room for smaller meetings or group activities; an office and toilet block, and a smaller interview/studio room. Space outside is dedicated to a large MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) for sport and entertainment; there is a children's play area, and a car park.

An integral and vital community resource, the John Holt Centre is used by many agencies to provide services to the community including: Bolton Council (Area Forums), Greater Manchester Police (drop-ins and PACT meetings), Bolton at Home (Work Club)… many community groups use the centre, and Westhoughton Community Network is a frequent visitor for its meetings.

Like most venues the John Holt Centre was closed during Lockdown. It has re-opened and resumed activities, however there are programme changes which we will update as soon as information in available. Check with Centre first.

For enquiries call 01942 859535 or email wave.cic@live.co.uk.

JHC News

  • The John Holt Centre was closed for 2 weeks (18th to 31st October), with groups and activities suspended, as it is being used as a filming location for a TV series. This is quite a coup for the centre and will bring in some much welcome revenue after Lockdown closures.
  • During the summer the John Holt Centre is the Westhoughton distribution point for Urban Outreach BL Lunches scheme, where children who receive free school meals can pick up a lunch-time lunch pack.
  • Proposed MUGA (Multi-Unit Games Area) for John Holt Centre (2019). Completed in 2020, the JHC Team is very grateful for all the support in its fundraising for a new MUGA (Multi-Unit Games Area) which included Crowdfunding, special events and Facebook raffles. A much-needed community facility, plans include an outdoor gym, a fully marked out five-a-side football pitch, basketball courts, community gardens, benches, timed floodlights, and a general makeover of the existing facilities. (Bolton News 14/3/19). This ambitious project and new facility was part-funded by Sport England. Local fundraising also making it possible.
  • The Centre has been delighted to work with Westhoughton Lions (Rugby League) who are using the new outdoor gym (Tuesday evenings) in the close-season for training and strength building exercises.

What's On at the John Holt Community Centre

Monday

Tuesday **check with centre**

  • Daytime
  • Community Café/Job Club - 9:30am to 11:30am
  • Police Drop-in with Pcso - 9.30am to 11:30am [fortnightly]
  • Keep Fit With Lyn (Seated Tai Chi) - 1:00pm to 1:50pm | Lyn 07936 527924
  • Keep Fit With Lyn (Standing Tai Chi) - 2:00pm to 3:00pm
  • Evening
  • Mediumship Development Class - 7.30pm to 9:00pm

Wednesday **check with centre**

  • Daytime
  • Make New Or Mend (Sewing Group) - 10:00am to 12:00pm
  • Art By Elise - 12:30pm to 2:30pm | Elise Hendry (07796 463852)
  • Evening
  • Slimming World - 5:00pm to 6:30pm | Sue Ashcroft (07974 029115)
  • Slimming World - 7:00pm to 8:30pm | Sue Ashcroft (07974 029115)

Thursday **check with centre**

  • Daytime
  • Slimming World - 9:00am to 10:30am | Sue Ashcroft (07974 029115)
  • Keep Fit With Lyn (Standing Tai Chi) - 11:45am to 12:45pm
  • Evening
  • WOW! (Women of Westhoughton) - 7:00pm to 9:00pm | Janice Bayliss (01942 842487)

Friday **check with centre**

  • Daytime
  • Tots and Toddlers - 9:15am to 11:15am
  • Make New Or Mend (Sewing Group) - 12:30am to 2:30pm
  • Family Sports Session - 4:00pm to 5:30pm [school holidays]
  • Evening
  • Junior Youth Club (ages 5-9) - 5:30pm to 7.15pm
  • Senior Youth Club (ages 10-15) - 7:30pm to 9:15pm

Saturday **check with centre**

  • Daytime
  • Children's/Teenager's Street Dance Class (XDC) - 11.30am to 1:30pm

Sunday **check with centre**

  • Daytime
  • Yoga and Pilates with Glenn Jones - 12:30pm to 1:30pm

The John Holt Community Centre is available for hire for private parties, meetings and functions. Ideal for children's parties. Kitchen facilities; WiFi; Disabled Access. Prices start from £10/hour.

A Grub Tub is situated in the foyer for donations to the Urban Outreach foodbank scheme.

Getting in Touch

The John Holt Community Centre can be contacted as follows:

Pop-in:
John Holt Community Centre
Birch Avenue
Washacre
Westhoughton
BL5 2NR

Call 01942 859535 or E-mail.

John Holt Community Centre Social Media - Facebook John Holt Centre on Facebook Twitter Twitter - John Holt Centre.

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Useful Links

Community Events

  • Westhoughton Library
    Library now open for books, general reading and computer access. With current refurbishment complete, community activities on both ground and upper floor have resumed. Info | Community Plans.
  • Senior Solutions Christmas Fair
    Tues 21 Nov (12-4pm)
    Winifred Kettle Centre (BL5 2NG)
    Traditional festive fair with variety of stalls, refreshments, tombola. Learn about work of this group looking after and enhancing the lives of older people.
  • History Group
    Monthly meetings - 3rd Thurs (10:30am)
    Westhoughton Library
    After two months Wingates Band Story exhibition came to a close 31/10 - a tremendous success from 'National Heritage Open Days' events (talks & entertainment) to fascinating displays. 16 Nov mtg sees talk on '153 Church Street' by Alison Whitaker. A Christmas meal early December in Bolton.
  • Wingates Band 150th Anniversary
    150th Anniversary celebrations has seen an exhibition, a exhibition, Houghton Weavers reunion, special concerts culminating in an event at Bolton Parish Church (St. Peter's) 4/11/23 with guest soloist Peter Moore (LSO).
    The brass band heads into Christmas period with concerts at St. John's Wingates (12/12) and St Vincent's Church, Over Hulton (18/12). Catch up with band News and Concerts. Official Website | info.
  • Robert Shaw / Book of Quint
    Special event with Ryan Dacko, author of 'The Book of Quint' took place at Wetherspoon's 1st July, celebrating Westhoughton-born Robert Shaw and introducing the backstory of the shark hunter from Jaws. It was a great success with people coming far and wide, leading to Amberley publishing deal.
  • Hub at Westhoughton
    The Hub at Westhoughton on Central Drive is home to a range of groups and activities serving the community. Information Leaflet.
  • WOW! Women of Westhoughton
    Thursdays from 7:00pm
    John Holt Centre (BL5 2NR)
    Est. 2013, women's group for shared interests, talks, outings & social networking. New meeting venue. Updated programme.
  • Rotary Christmas Float
    in December Rotary Club of Westhoughton were out and about visiting local estates and were at Sainsbury's ahead of Christmas. They are very grateful for public support and donations they raised raising £5,640, which will help local charities. Presentation evening took place 20/4/23 with 19 organisations receiving cheques.
  • Daisy Hill FC Fixtures (Home)
    League Division 1 North
    New Sirs (BL5 2EB)
    Cutters season in full flow. New management, new signings and clubhouse improvements. Support your local team. KO Sat 3pm or Mon 7:45pm. £5 adults / £3 concession / £2 U18s / U12s free w/ adult.
  • Lockdown information (Covid-19)
    For 16 months life and community was disrupted by measures to deal with the pandemic. It has been a long and impactful period, thankfully things are opening up again there is a return to normal. Watch for updates as community re-engages here and on
    Westhoughton.net Facebook Page.
  • Town Centre Masterplan
    Proposals for investment in Town Centre (Market Street focus) were consulted upon in 2019-20 with a Steering Group meeting to discuss plans for £4m investment and significant changes to Market Street, Central Park, Carnegie Hall and Town Hall.
  • Hope Community Centre
    The Central Drive church and community space is currently closed pending refurbishment discussions with Bolton Council. Hope Church services take place in the Hub.
Westhoughton Community Network @wcn_ on Twitter Westhoughton Community Network Facebook Page | westhoughton.net