A BELL pealed to mark a new chapter for a 108-year-old village hall saved from the bulldozer by the people of Fryerning.
Lord Petre was on hand to join MP Eric Pickles and around 80 guests from the Fryerning Parish Rooms Association (FPRA), Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Association and the parish to mark the venue's reopening.
The ceremony, which took place inside the refurbished hall because of torrential rain, boasts a new kitchen, boiler system, toilets, resurfaced car park and main hall flooring, paid for from £18,000 raised by parishioners.
FPRA chairman Keith Brown, was delighted the see the hall re-open. In early 2011 the facility faced permanent closure having been blacklisted by health and safety officials.
Mr Brown said: "The extensive refurbishment will ensure that the hall continues to serve the community for years.
"We are immensely grateful to so many local residents who have responded to our appeal, as well as those who have given a lot of time.
"We would not be here today without that support.
"This could not have happened without the approval of the Trustees of Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Association.
"This has been a joint venture between them as owners and FPRA as managers. We are both committed to ensure the success of this project."
Lilian Hunter, chairman of Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Association (IFCA), which owns the hall, added: "I am very pleased that the two organisations (FPR and IFCA) have worked together to reopen Fryerning Parish Room and wish everyone best wishes in making good use of this valuable community asset."
Mr Brown announced FPRA has already taken a number of bookings from groups wishing to book the hall, some of whom are returning having used the hall previously."
The hall was officially re-opened on December 1.
To make a booking call the IFCA office on 01277 352064.
