In September 2023 The Hub commenced in Birchover Reading Room. It was the idea of Linda Neale, Laura Mellstrom and Sylvia Foster. They have organised and run it since September 2023. The aim was to provide a space for all ages to meet over coffee and cake whilst providing interesting speakers and raising money for charity. Speakers have included a local GP discussing prostate cancer; EMAS, providing de fib training; ARK, Ashbourne, discussing their rescue centre and local craftsmen.
To date nearly £2,500 has been raised for local charities.
On 25th January local MP, John Whitby came along to the Hub to answer questions from local residents. Residents were asked to submit questions in advance pertaining to local issues that were of concern to them. The meeting was held along the lines of the BBC Question Time programme with residents asking the questions that they had submitted. There were nine submitted and John answered them all. Topics covered included local government reorganisation; the introduction of a tourist tax; holiday lets/second homes and funding of the Peak District National Park.
John spent over two hours at the Hub, answering questions and chatting to the residents. He has invited one of the younger residents, Hamish, aged 15, to his parliamentary office for the day.
It was an extremely informative morning and due to the generosity of the residents £154 was raised for this months nominated charity, Blythe House Hospice.
If any local charity would like to provide a speaker for The Hub to help raise funds for their organisation please email: milldale 2002@gmail.com