STOURPORT’S cultural hub will celebrate a landmark 2017 just six years after it faced the threat of closure.

The Civic Hall is set to mark 50 years as a venue of shows, community groups and functions and will celebrate the occasion with a series of events.

It was opened as a community hall in 1967 and has gone from strength to strength but it faced the risk of closure and demolition back in 2011.

But a small number of determined Stourport folk formed the Civic Group working party and, along with support from the town, district and county council managed to keep the venue open as a community use facility.

Their hard battle finally saw the Civic Group handed the building by Stourport Town Council as the first community asset in 2012.

As well as continuing to host events, shows, concerts and fundraisers, the group secured funding in 2015 to refurbish the structure of the building with new heating, doors, air conditioning and enhanced lighting and sound.

During this time, the group worked inside to decorate and update The Hall, they purchased new stage curtains, reopened the bar and painted the walls.

To celebrate its half century, the Civic Group is hosting a year of celebration beginning with carnival weekend in early September where volunteers will host an open day where members of the public can pop along to look at the facility.

This will be followed by a ‘Civic has Talent’ showcase event on Saturday, September 23 where the new youth group, Civic ENCORE, featuring youngsters aged 12-18 will be entertaining the public with the theme of ‘Rocking Flower Powered 60’s. Tickets will be available from the Civic Hall.

A celebration ‘Black Tie, Bangers and Mash’ ball on September 30, will see’ Jonah and the 45’s’ playing 50’s and 60’s music with tickets again available from The Civic Hall.

Through the year, fundraising will be held to help fund further improvements with a particular focus on raising £50,000 to recover the theatre style seating.

Kevin Wrench, trustee and chairman of the group said: “This is a fantastic venue with so much to offer for all the community, with its versatility it can be used for any event.

“As a group we want to keep offering the venue for hire and for entertainment and be able to fundraise enough to be able to maintain the Hall to a good standard.”

People can find out how to volunteer at The Hall or get more information on all events by emailing civicbookings@yahoo.co.uk, visiting the web site www.thecivicstourport.co.uk or by calling 01299 823339.