Well we initially delivered our project courtesy of a recycled paste table but like a healthy toddler we out grew this and with the baby reigns off we have been searching for the way forward.
We explored taking a premises on George Street in Hove, rent and rates alone would have cost £30,000 a year. We would have spent all our time fund-raising so that was out of the question.
David Rees suggested that we purchase a mobile library. Great idea! When I was a wee lass and living out in the sticks in the heart of Wales, we had a mobile library come to our house and a mobile butcher. I remember them both fondly. Well the butcher less so as I am now a vegetarian!
After consultation with Brighton & Hove Coucil we discovered they only have one mobile library and that has recently been up-dated and the old one long gone. During this conversation another suggestion was offered - a bus.
We decided to talk with Tom Druitt from The Big Lemon who recently acquired buses - after all where does one purchase such an item!! Well we discovered a double decker bus is as cheap as a single decker bus - so a double it is!
Not so simple!!!!!! There is a lot to take into account when owning a bus, particularly a double. How many seats you leave in affects what kind of MOT you need which in turn affects what kind of drivers license you require to drive it. After you have sorted this out then there is the question of where do you park it in order to deliver the project to the residents of Brighton & Hove.
The bus option is still in the mix - we have just enough money to buy one but not much left over to run it! We are re-considering the mobile library avenue and a couple of other options which include smaller vehicles.
If you have any ideas please share them - we are a community project and as you can see we do act on your suggestions.
Happy Solstice for Saturday!!!
