A COMMUNITY hall in Hartlebury has undergone a major transformation following a £130,000 refurbishment project.

Hartlebury Parish Hall now boasts a host of new facilities and a spruced up building to make it more attractive to hold events such as weddings and christenings.

Funding for the work came from grants of £85,000 through the Landfill Communities Fund with Severn Waste Services and £50,000 from the Biffa Award scheme.

Trustees of the hall, invited guests and residents will be at the hall tomorrow (Friday, November 27) for the formal opening of the facility.

The hall was built in 1952 by the community for the community with local people labouring in their free time to create a hub.

The building reflected the materials and building techniques of post Second World War Britain and is of prefabricated design.

In post war Britain this was a triumph of community co-operation, but 63 years on it was no longer met the needs of today's community.

The revamp project involved the provision of a changing room for local sports teams, a new entrance porch, refurbishment of the toilets, and a brand new brick ‘skin’ to the building, with insulation, over the 1950s concrete façade.

Trustee George Ward said: “The whole project is about improving this well-frequented community facility, and making it a focal point for new and existing user groups.”

Ian Barber Severn Waste’s Marketing Director said: “We’re delighted to have been able to help the Trustees with this project.

“The hall is a well-used and well managed community asset, and we hope that more people will enjoy the benefit of it in the future.’

And Gillian French, Biffa Award, added: “The hall has been well used for generations but was in need of some attention; this new investment from the Landfill Communities Fund will build on the history of the building and secure its legacy for years to come.”