Pangbourne welcomes return of modernised gents toilets
Residents gathered to witness the long-awaited reopening of their fully modernised male toilets at the weekend.
On Sunday, Pangbourne Parish Council chairman Ian Walker unveiled the facilities which were closed down seven years ago after central government reduced grants to local councils.
Local government also does not, by law, have to provide this essential facility.
But in 2017, a group of villagers, shocked that West Berkshire Council had closed the facilities, set up Action for Pangbourne Toilets Charitable Trust (APT).
And now, after tireless fundraising, APT trustees have raised enough money to cover the cost of a cleaning contract and general maintenance.
Additionally, they have raised enough capital to restructure the disabled unit, the female toilets and now the male toilets.
APT chairman Sir Brian Hoskins gave a short speech at the unveiling, highlighting what an essential facility the toilet block is, not only for the villagers, but for the elderly, visitors and key workers passing through.
Mr Walker added how supportive he is of the work APT does and “that a beautiful village like Pangbourne having a lovely set of toilets says a lot about the community”, before cutting the ribbon.
The facilities are used by 25,000 people a year, evidence of their need for the community.