First Dorset Credit Union Opens In Blandford

Speech, speech, speech...

Town Mayor Esme Butler cutting the ribbon to open
the First Dorset Credit Union 

The First Dorset Credit Union at the Citizens Advice Bureau Office (which never seems to be open but is by appointment only) in Nightingale Court Blandford was opened yesterday (Saturday 18th February) by Town Mayor Esme Butler. Her husband David Butler (official posh nosh title Mayors Consort) also accompanied her (pictured above far right) and North Dorset District Council Chairman Mike Oliver also attended the humble event (in the middle of the above photo looking as blinged up - ((though not gold)) as the Town Mayor and her hubby !).

Above & below - The Town Mayor reading a speech and a poem

                   

The Blandford Buzz rather liked the Mayors presentation and so asked her if it was ok to have her speech and poem papers, to put on this post, so here below is the speech and poem read by Esme Butler for the Credit Union opening...on a personal level this reminds me that it's my ambition to become a speech writer, maybe the Town Mayor will let me write her a speech...!!!

NDDC Chairman Mike Oliver also spoke briefly at the opening and mentioned that a Credit Union in Blandford is a good thing, as it's a safe alternative to loan sharks - he also mentioned that a family member of his once had a scary involvement with a loan shark, TBB noted that the Chairman really did seem to care about people becoming mixed up with dodgy loan "dealers".

Time to go in...

(Below) Inside the CAB office, you can see that the Credit Union is set to get down to "business"...

Money, money, money... 

(Below) The Credit Union in Blandford has it's first "punter" - hey wait a minute, this guy's giving them money, oh yes of course, as well as loaning money to people who are on a low income, unemployed and or on benefits etc - the Credit Union encourages people to save as well - because if you do, you get a share of the profits in relation to your savings... so here you can see that the FDCU has it's first saver !!!

The Credit Union in Blandford is run by volunteers
husband & wife John (left) & Val Imber (middle obviously)

So if you're skint and your washing machine breaks down, or for instance you need to buy a vehicle so you can look for / get to work etc, as long as you have photo ID and a utility bill (or maybe a few) the Credit Union in Blandford will probably be able to help you. John Imber who voluntarily runs this particular  Credit Union branch with his wife Val Imber has told TBB that the Credit Union in Blandford costs £3 to become a member - a £2 joining fee and a £1 share in the Credit Union. It takes up to 2 weeks to process a loan application, though emergency loans of  £50 quid take approximately 2 working days to process. This branch of the Credit Union has loaned to an individual a maximum of  £5000, though many people take out loans that are less than  £100.  The First Dorset Credit Union is open in Blandford on Saturdays only 10am - midday. 

Party Time... 

The clock and camera never lie !
Look the clock time is 9:45 (am)
 It only took roughly 5 minutes from the grand opening time (at 9.40 am)
for this lot to have a glass of bubbly - mind you none of them seemed to be drunk !

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