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Jelly Babies off the party menu

Stuart Greer
6/12/2006

A CHRISTMAS party and disco for 150 toddlers and parents had to be cancelled at short notice after a venue double booked its function room.

Children from Jelly Babies nursery group were left in tears this week after the mix up at the Liberal Club in Failsworth.

Organisers claim they confirmed the party, that was due to take place tomorrow (Fri), back in July.

They also say that they only discovered the devastating news of a mix up just days before the event, when they called to confirm what time their food could be delivered.

They were told by the Liberal Club that a joint 21st and 60th birthday party had been booked in.

Despite a rush to find a new venue the organisers have been forced to cancel.

Supervisor Linda Johnson said: "Imagine if we hadn't called - there would have been 60 little ones dressed up and told to go away. It's supposed to be the season of goodwill. We're devastated."

Jelly Babies, which cares for two and three-year-olds, has held its Christmas party at the club on Oldham Road without difficulty for the past 24 years.

Linda Johnson said: "They always donated the room and in return we paid a membership fee every year. It's always been a goodwill gesture.

"In July we walked over and watched someone put our party in the book. We've had donations from local businesses for the raffle, sold all 150 tickets and booked a DJ.

"Last week I called to ask when we could bring food over, only to be told that someone else had booked the same night and we had been scrubbed off. They didn't even call."

It has been a torrid year for the nursery which lost the fight to stop an access road for the new Failsworth District Centre development being rerouted through its garden and play area.

Linda added: "It's one thing after the other. First the garden goes and now the party. It's disgusting what has been done to Failsworth children."

Chris McKee, caretaker at the Liberal Club, said there had been a mix up.

"I haven't had the chance to apologise. The first I knew of this was when I had someone screaming at me, calling me a liar. I have done everything right. We took a deposit in January for the other party."

Mr McKee admitted staff have double booked the venue several times this year.

"This keeps happening and I have to face the consequences. The staff have strict instructions, but short of being here 24/7 there's nothing I can do."