SIX years of hard work has paid off for villagers at Morden near Wareham with the completion of a £457,000 new village hall.

Villagers and former Mordenites are invited to join in a celebration opening party on Saturday October 16, which will be followed by a month of special events.

The former village hall served the community for 77 years but its ageing wood and corrugated iron construction had grown dilapidated.

Potential users, especially the elderly, were being put off by the cold, damp and lack of disabled access.

The new hall can seat 120 people or 240 standing and includes a committee room, kitchen, and an upstairs gallery with a snooker table.

There is also a sports changing block, built to Football Association standards, for two teams plus referees which can double as a changing area for drama or indoor sport.

Morden recreation ground has been in use since at least 1877 and was given to the parish of Morden by the Drax family in 1929.

A small hut was later erected on the land to provide changing facilities for people using the sports field. Originally managed by the National Playing Fields Association, the responsibility for managing the land and building was taken over by Morden recreation ground and village hall management committee in 1970.

Villagers and friends from Red Post parish and former Mordenites who are still in touch with the village are welcome to the opening party on Saturday. To reserve a place contact Mary Mathers on 01929 459217.

For those not able to make the party, two open days take place on Sunday October 17 from 2pm to 5pm and Tuesday October 19, 11am to 5pm.

On Friday, October 22, local rock/metal bands Bit Bull and Mouth will perform a gig in the hall. Admission is free to anyone aged 10 or over. Tickets available from Maxine Claws on 01929 459141.

To round off the opening month, there will be a special showing of the hit film Calendar Girls on Saturday October 30 at 7.30pm, as part of the Purbeck Film Festival. Tickets priced £4 available from Helen Austin on 01929 459285.

First published: Oct 8