THE way is now clear for final preparations to be made for the replacement of a community hall near Tenbury that has stood for nearly a century.

Eastham Memorial Hall is to be replaced with a new building thanks to a lottery grant of £260,000.

It comes as good news for the village which is recovering from a year of turmoil following the collapse of Eastham Bridge in May 2016.

Although no one was hurt in the collapse this resulted in people having to cope with major diversions until the new bridge reopened in the spring.

A special meeting of the parish council has given approval for a solicitor to be appointed to prepare legal documentation to allow work to begin on the new building early next year.

Eastham Memorial Hall was built in 1922 as a memorial to the fallen of the village in the First World War.

The land was given to the parish council by a member of the parish. It holds many events including lunches and dinners, quizzes, films for people to get together and to raise funds for the hall.

It also hosts the annual village fete, flower and produce show and dog show, held in August.

The hall that has a small meeting room and a basic kitchen has been at the core of the village community ever since it opened but has been showing its age and in need of refurbishment.

That is why the trustees made the application for funding for a new hall.

Eastham Memorial Hall received an offer of a grant from the Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities of £260,000 in April this year.

The project involves the demolition of the existing 1920s hall and building a new fit for purpose facility on the same site to better serve the community.

An extraordinary meeting of Eastham Parish Council was held at the end of June to approve the engagement of a solicitor to draw up a lease between Eastham Parish Council and Eastham Memorial Hall trustees.

It is hoped that the contract for the new hall will be let in January next year with the work completed in time for the 50th anniversary of the annual fete and flower show at the end of the summer.

Although the bulk of the money for the new hall will come from lottery funding, the balance for the project is being raised through fundraising and pledges from members of the community.

The success of the funding bid means that people living in the village have special reason to celebrate and Eastham Memorial Hall is hosting a summer roast lunch on Sunday, July 30.

Phil Gibbs from the Clockhouse will be serving three courses including a roast with choice of meats, followed by cheese with a glass of punch on arrival.

There will be a licensed bar and raffle. Doors open at 12.30pm, lunch is served at 1pm. Booking essential on 01584 781255.