THE community of Areley Kings will be celebrating ten years since the opening of its village hall this weekend.

A number of events are to be held in and around the hall throughout Saturday and Sunday to mark the anniversary.

From 1pm on Saturday there will a free martial arts display, tea and cakes made by volunteers and a variety of entertainment from local people on the main stage.

Stourport Choral Society, Areley Kings WI, Severn Valley Samba and some of the young winners of the Areley Kings Got Talent contest are among the groups which will be performing for visitors.

In the hall’s meeting room there will a display of crafts, photography and local history and cricket and basketball sessions will be run on the recreation ground for children under 12 and their parents.

Rob Fowler, chairman of Areley Kings Village Hall Trustees, said: “We are very excited about the weekend’s celebrations – it gives us an opportunity to show off our hall.

“Hundreds of people use the building every week for an incredible range of activities. There is no doubt the new hall is the hub for our community.

“We invite everyone in Areley Kings to come on Saturday afternoon and join the festivities.”

On Saturday evening invited guests, including the Mayor of Stourport Cliff Brewer, MP Mark Garnier and many of those who helped raise money for the hall, will enjoy a private supper with entertainment from Stourport Choral Society and a local jazz trio.

The weekend’s celebrations end on Sunday afternoon with a tea dance. Tickets for that event are sold out. The village hall replaced the old parish rooms, which were demolished in a project that cost more than £600,000.

Funding toward the building work was provided by grants from a number of trusts, including the National Lottery, as well as thousands of pounds from community fundraising activities.

Fundraising from community group Friends of the Hall has continued in the ten years since the opening, allowing the hall to install energy saving equipment, along with solar panels.

Phil Clasper, hall treasurer, said: “The Friends of the Hall hold events such as coffee mornings, summer and Christmas fairs, which raise lots of money.”

“Over the years they have contributed towards a new cooker, enhanced security systems and more.

“We are particularly blessed with a very active and supportive group of volunteers, who work tirelessly to help us maintain and improve our facilities.”