Fond farewell to charity champion

Glossopdale Furniture Project has said farewell to a charity champ.

Dorothy Scapens (pictured) has spent the last 15 years supporting the project as a board member, in various capacities, most recently as vice chair. 

She has seen many changes over those years as it has grown from a simple idea to help the residents of Glossop, into the charity it is now, offering support to the community of the High Peak alongside other charities and agencies.

From being a board member in the early years of her support, Dorothy progressed to chair and then vice chair. 

She has overseen many of the most significant developments of the project from when it was solely reliant on volunteer help to keep the charity operating. Now the project is overseen by a full-time manager and six full-time employees.

Dorothy said she will miss being involved with the project in her retirement, having been very impressed at the way it has developed under the management of Paul Marsh, who was appointed in January 2019. 

She said: “I have been involved with the Furniture Project for over 15 years as a trustee and in recent years as chair and then vice chair. 

“During this time we have grown and expanded, becoming the highly respected organisation we are today. 

“This has in no small way been due to the loyalty, commitment and hard work of both management and staff as well as the board of trustees.

“During my time, whilst dealing with the inevitable occasional difficulties, I have seen the project extend the area we cover, provide a workshop restoring old furniture and making new items from recycled wood and open an additional retail outlet in the centre of Glossop, moving from rented premises to one which we have purchased.

“It has been a privilege to be associated with the project and give my best wishes for its continued success.”