DESPITE the best diplomatic efforts by local councillors, it has proved impossible so far to heal the rift between two major Haslemere charitable organisations, Haslewey Community Centre and The Orchard Club.

As matters stand, The Orchard Club will quit Haslewey next March to continue its service to the elderly, which is grant-aided by Waverley until 2018, in a new, as yet unspecified location.

Meanwhile, Haslewey, which does not receive a grant from Waverley, will also offer services for the elderly at the community centre.

Haslemere Mayor Sahran Abeysundara issued a statement on Wednesday saying: “The mayor, the Surrey county councillor for Haslemere, Nikki Barton and the deputy mayor, councillor Malcolm Carter, have been in private discussions with the trustees of both The Orchard Club and Haslewey, in conjunction with an independent arbitrator, to reconcile a positive way forward for both parties.

“Both charities did meet with the councillors and the arbitrator, in order to look forward. The charities held quite different positions on the way forward and it was clear that if progress was to be made both sides would have to compromise and work hard to find a third solution that they could both be comfortable with.

“It was also clear that past disagreements and ill-feeling would have to be set aside to enable progress to be made. Unfortunately neither side was able to do this, with the result that options were not explored.

“After much consideration, both charities have decided the only positive way forward is if they both go their own separate ways.

“This may not have been the outcome we hoped for, but there may actually be a silver lining: with both charities offering services for our community at two separate locations, we may, geographically, see a wider spread of service offered to the elderly.

“At this stage, Haslemere Town Council together with councillor Barton wish both charities the best for the future and will do all that we can to support them in this transitional stage.”