NEW up-to-the-minute computer facilities were unveiled at the official opening of Bentham Development Trust's community office.

The facilities, which include an internet access point as well as a scanner, printer and photocopier, were opened by the town's Mayor, Coun Wendy Dowbiggin, on Friday.

All of the facilities will be available for local voluntary organisations and groups to use, in order to produce minutes of their meetings, reports and agendas, as well as their own "fliers", posters and other promotional material.

The trust has identified about 60 community and charity groups, many of which have expressed an interest in and a need for such office facilities.

Funding for the venture has been awarded by the Community Development Fund and the Rural Development Commission.

This includes funding for a part-time co-ordinator, whose role will include helping any computer beginners who need assistance.

This, as well as the normal use of the office, will be on a pre-booked basis.

Formal training in computer skills, which is to take place at Craven College at Millers Court, is included in the funding package.

The office is expected to be on-line shortly, and charities and other organisations will be able to link up and receive information from national headquarters, as well as to research and collect other information.

A software programme called Funder Finder Plus is also to be installed at the office, enabling voluntary groups to identify potential funders for their particular interest.

Bill Kennedy, of the Bentham Development Trust, said: "Initially, only voluntary groups and organisations will be able to use the facilities, but once any initial problems have been resolved and the project is running smoothly, it is expected that the office will be made available for use by individuals as well."

However, he said the office would not be made available for commercial use.

"The internet access will also mean that Bentham could soon have its own web pages, and a natural development may be to have the Bentham News on the world wide web," he added.

"The board of directors of the trust believe that this is an important development for Bentham, providing training and experience in computer skills in a friendly atmosphere, and hope that there will be an enthusiastic response from local groups."

If anyone wants to know any more details about the office and how it will work, then they can contact the Bentham Development Trust on 015242 61030.

Picture shows the trust's Bill Kennedy, Wendy Dowbiggin and Coun Ralph Atkinson.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.