10th May 2011
Villagers are celebrating today after realising a five year dream to transform their hall.
The Maiden Newton Youth and Community Centre won a boost of nearly £20,000 in lottery funding to finish the renovation of their 50-year-old building.
The cash has enabled them to complete a major revamp which was started when the hall was threatened with closure five years ago.
A leaking roof forced organisers to start the refurbishment fund in 1996 and many improvements were made to provide a base for the villages 50-strong youth club.
Now the revamped community hall can also provide the venue for numerous social events for villagers, including a social services family centre, children’s church groups and parish meetings.
The latest cash injection paid for new windows and doors and better insulation to reduce the cost of heating the building.
The heating has also been upgraded, new chairs and tables have been bought and a new sound system has been installed.
And, as a finishing touch, village firm Altro donated desperately needed new flooring.
Management committee treasurer Sally Faulkingham said: “The National Lottery Grant has been a great help and we are all very pleased with how much the building has been improved.”
On Bank Holiday Monday the village held a day of celebration to show off the new look community centre, including games such as five-a-side football and a huge tug-of-war.
An Action Van offered children the chance to take part in trampolining, uni-hockey and a range of sports throughout the afternoon, and there was alsdo a disco in the evening.
Fundraisers also used the day to help raise more money for the running of the hall with raffles, collections and cake sales.
The community centre is now able to play host to a great number of youth groups.
[From the Dorset Echo 10-05-2001]