Moreton village turned out in force to welcome its new hall

After three years of fundraising and building, an official opening event was held at the new Moreton Village Hall.

More than 100 guest attended the opening, including the architect and fundraising consultant Tom Roberts and representatives of building contractors Matrod Frampton.

The guest of honour on the day was Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, who arrived by horse drawn carriage to officially open the new facility.

He was greeted by hall secretary Maeve Sexty and other committee members before the unveiling of the new sign.

The opening event was also attended by donors who had helped to fund the hall and those who had generously given their time to help make the project a success including the Bovington Military Wives Choir, who performed at a charity concert at St Nicholas Church in Moreton as well as Viridor, Garfield Weston and Bernard Sunley.

Mrs Sexty said that the day had gone very well and the whole process leading up to the opening of the new hall had helped bring the community together.

She said: "The weather was brilliant and we had more than 100 guests, they were people who had supported the whole project."

Mrs Sexty added: "We started about three years ago and were initially raising money to get the roof repaired but it was apparent it was beyond economic repair.

"We had a village meeting and we decided to go for a new building.

"It's been quite a journey but in actual fact even the project of building it has brought the village closer together because more people have volunteered to help at fundraising events and more people are keen to be involved.

"It's brilliant it's open now.

"The project was never about the building, it was always about the community facility.

"Although the building is stunning and it's in a much better position, it's all about providing the facility for the local community."

Since the opening the local community lunch organisers have already received a generous grant from the Dorset POPP (Partnership for Older People Programme) to help set up a monthly lunch club for over 50s in the area and a number of regular classes are stating up including pilates, salsa, aikido, yoga and ballroom dancing.

The previous village hall had stood for 100 years and will be preserved as local musician Ben Waters offered to dismantle it with the intention or re-erecting it at his home at Watercombe House near Owermoigne.

For more information about the new village hall visit moretonvillagehall.btck.co.uk

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