On Saturday 10th June Grove Cottage – the home of Mencap Bishop’s Stortford was officially opened in the presence of the then president, Valerie Hobson and under the chairmanship of Dr Simon Haskell by Professor Jack Tizzard surrounded by so many who had helped make a vision into a reality.

With the new premises Grove Cottage could extend their services and the Tuesday afternoon nursery session became a whole day and the new kitchen enabled them to provide dinners with the aim of helping each child to be as independent as possible and encouraging learning at an early age.

Youth club became a weekly session and activities increased to include pool and snooker and another social club for 15+ age group was started on Wednesday evenings with a bias towards art, craft and cookery.