IT has been many years coming, but the desire to give St Mary's Catholic School in Wool a purpose-built hall was so strong that eventually nothing could stand in the way.

And the new £244,000 hall has brought more benefits by freeing up space elsewhere in the school to create a state-of-the-art computer suite and library, music room and new kitchen.

The school is indebted to retired governor Philip Blake who has been honoured by having the new hall carry his name.

The school is opening its doors to parents of prospective pupils to come and see what a difference the new hall has made.

Head teacher Mary Barker said: "We have a music room and kitchen and the new hall is separate from the school building so we can let it out.

"We have a state-of-art computer suite and library where the old hall used to be. It is a dream fulfilled."

She added: "We've been trying to get the new hall for so long.

"It was Philip Blake, who has been a governor of different schools for 50 years, who had the dream and we carried that on and finally got permission for the new hall."

The Rt Rev Christopher Budd, Bishop of Plymouth, will give Blake Hall his blessing on October 15.

The local community can have a look around the Folly Lane school's new facilities during an open day on October 7 between 10am and 2.30pm.

The hall was paid for through a government grant scheme.

First published: Sept 30