STRETTON Sugwas village hall is open and ready for business after an impressive £300,000 facelift.

Thanks to last year’s Big Lottery award, the 84-year-old hall has been turned into an all-singing all-dancing venue for parties, receptions, exercise classes and community events and more besides. As well as the main hall, a new room is now available for business meetings – wifi is on tap - and an annexe provides space for clinical appointments.

This massive upgrade is a positive development in a village which has lost two pubs, its Post Office and shop over the years. Villagers and regular hall users have already expressed delight at the results of the major refurbishment which has provided new toilets, kitchen and furniture to make it a a busy social hub for young and old alike.

“The users and local community are very pleased with the result,” said hall committee chairman, John Robinson. “New groups have been attracted as well as previous users who have returned.”

On the big open day, a ribbon was ceremoniously cut by Dave Curtis from the Duchy of Cornwall, freeholder of the site. Joining local people were architect Paul Lodge of Jamison Associates who designed the building, and a representative from Owen Pell, the firm awarded the contract, which won praise for carrying out the project successfully on time and within budget.

There was a pat on the back too for hall committee member Val Javens’ “major input” into making the Big Lottery bid, explained Mr Robinson. The Stretton Sugwas grant was one of 89 successful bids to receive a share of a £2.2 million payout across the West Midlands.

A survey undertaken prior to the village’s bid for funding revealed that people from 19 villages within the county make this a regular port of call. Said Val Javens: “There is no longer a pub, shop or Post Office so the hall is the centre of the community. This is a focal point for people from a wide area.”

She added: “We want to be a health and wellbeing centre, and we have established a wildlife area outside too.”

News that the hall is now ready for use is certain to be received with satisfaction among the village’s 550-strong population as well as the many users of the premises from over a 20-mile radius.

Said Mr Robinson: “As well as the main hall, the new meeting room can now be used for business meetings and in conjunction with its annexe as a venue for clinical purposes.”

The award was provided for ‘creation of a social, educational, health and wellbeing hub while engendering a community spirit’.

*For information about Stretton Sugwas village hall go to ssvhinfo@gmail.com

Bookings can be made by contacting Mrs Helen Beavan at helenssvh@gmail.com