The Dreadnought Centre has been running for over 40 years. Here is a brief history of the Centre.
The seed of an idea that blossomed into “The Dreadnought Centre“ started with Lionel Martin, who was working as a Probation Ancillary with Senior Probation Officer, Frank Raynor in Truro and Peter Walker. Members of the Truro bench were also asked to become involved. Two people in particular showed great interest, these being the Hon. Mrs D Verney and Mr Donald Vage. Donald Vage became Dreadnought’s first chairperson and contributed enthusiastically to it’s development. Mrs Varney, who is a descendant of Sir Edward Boscawen of Truro, kindly allowed his nickname ‘Old Dreadnought’ to be used as a name for the project and The Dreadnought Centre was born.
Dreadnought began to develop. It registered as a Charity in 1976 stating in it’s constitution it’s aims and objectives as ‘in the interest of social welfare to provide, or assist in the provision of, educational, recreational or other conditions of life and their physical, mental or moral improvement’. In December 1978 the old Methodist chapel at Pool was purchased and Dreadnought finally had a home of it’s own.
A full-time manager was appointed in August 1984. Since then the Charity has undergone much development-adjusting to government policy and sometimes to follow sources of funding – BUT the ethos of Dreadnought remains at the centre of every piece of work. Applying non-discriminatory practice and offering unconditional acceptance of all young people who pass through it’s doors.