VILLAGE HALL: On October 6, the Kington and Dormston Village Hall came alive again with a party for all parishioners to celebrate the reopening after a refurbishment, which took nearly six months. It wasn't that it had not been alive during that time because most weekends it had been a hive of activity mostly by voluntary labour. The volunteers firstly stripped the interior and then the roof which was completely renewed, as were the kitchen fittings, doors and curtains. A bar and a disabled toilet were added, all was tidied up with the floor being sanded down and re-varnished and the rest being painted. This now leaves the parishes of Kington and Dormston with a village hall to be proud of. Chairman, Peter Morris welcomed all the guests and thanked everybody for coming and also all who had contributed in any way with the refurbishing. Special mention was made of Mr and Mrs R Bailey, Gill Blackband, Tracy Brewer, Terry and Val Brimmell, Chris and Mandy Farman, Martin Fernihough, Mike Forrester, Kevin Hill, Steve and Sarah Mogg, Peter Pumpalovic, Ernie Smith, Rosemary Smith, Mr and Mrs I Thorpe, Mark Underwood and also, Sandra Naughton and her helpers for putting on such a fine display of food and drinks for this party. Peter continued by saying if it had not been mainly for the tremendous amount of voluntary help given, plus grants from Wychavon, Awards for all, the parish council and kind donation of money, plans, various building materials, skips, electric fittings and curtains this project would not have been possible. We now need to update the furniture, there had already been three £100 donations and Peter hoped that as there was no charge for this party tonight that people would make a generous donation (this amounted to £350). Peter Morris then called on Bill Smith past chairman who had started this project off about four years ago to say a few words. Bill thanked Peter and his wife Marilyn for all the hard work they had done in leading this big project so successfully. Although the hall was nearly full, he was disappointed not to see many new faces despite the result of a questionnaire sent to all houses in the two parishes last May, when about 70% of the 72% who returned them said that they would support events in the future, if it was refurbished. Where are they tonight?!! Bill continued by reading out two cards, one from the Kington and Dormston WI congratulating everybody responsible for transforming the hall into such a showpiece and wishing them a successful future. The other card was from Judy and Derek Smith (staunch supporters for the last 26 years) "sorry we can't be with you tonight but thanks to everybody for their hand in refurbishing the hall and that its furniture would be prosperous." Bill said he felt that these words endorsed the sentiments of all here tonight. He hoped that they would support Peters request for donation for new furniture. He concluded by thanking everybody concerned with the refurbishing and asked people to raise their glasses to them and to the future of this new look village hall. Peter thanked Bill and asked him to cut a cake which was made as replica of the village hall, by Ellen Harrison (thank you Ellen). The evening continued with everybody being invited to help themselves to some of the wide choice of food and drinks. During the evening Terry Brimmell and Sue Burford ran a raffle which raised £137. Anybody wishing to view or hire this village hall please contact Mrs J Carney on 01386 792981.