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Community gets its hall back

2:40pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009

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A BUILDING left derelict for 15 years has been restored to the heart of a village community.

Chiseldon’s General Calley Memorial Hall on Draycott Road has lain unused since the British Legion moved out.

Now, it is set to re-open as a village hall and Scout hall after nine months of work from the 1st Chiseldon Air Scout Group, £7,000 of investment and the help of people in the village.

There will be an open afternoon this Sunday for people to inspect the new premises and find out more about the Scout group.

First Chiseldon Group Scout Leader Peter Snipe said: “We believe it will be a hub for the village and that’s what we want.”

In April the Scout group secured 99-year lease of the building at a nominal rent from the Chiseldon sports and social club.

The group has been cleaning, repairing, decorating and refurbishing the building since January, using £3,500 of its own reserves and another £3,500 received from a local anonymous donor.

However, they still hope to secure part of the £38,000 kept in a village hall trust fund.

The Scouts will operate the facility on a not-for-profit basis for the community to use.

The building will also host fitness classes and private bookings.

Originally built in 1933, the building was created with help from the people of Chiseldon who bought bricks and had their names initialled on them.

Mr Snipe said: “Their initials are still in the bricks so it’s quite emotional for it to re-open.

“There is lots of emotion and politics, but lots of support.”

Mr Snipe said local businesses had offered their services, such as carpet fitters and scaffolding companies.

Honda had also added some manpower to the project, he added.

So far the building has been completely rewired, but still needs new windows and doors, repairs to guttering and heating before the autumn.

As a tribute to the past the Scouts have installed some of the original items they found on the walls.

This was a British Legion plaque, a memorial to those who served in the First World War and a portrait of General Calley, who the building is named after.

The open afternoon starts at 2pm and anyone interested in finding out more about the project or who wants to help can contact Peter on 01793 741164.