South Luffenham Village Hall reaches 100th anniversary and celebrates with £150,000 refurbishment
A village hall has been given a new lease of life as it reaches its 100th anniversary.
South Luffenham Village Hall has undergone a significant transformation during the past three years.
Volunteers have brought it back from the brink of demolition and created a thriving hub for village life.
The hall is in use nearly every day of the week, with toddler groups, exercise classes and coffee mornings all calling it home.
Committee chairman Tracy Steward is delighted to see the hard work pay off.
She said: "We're so proud that the hall is still such a focal point in the village after 100 years.
"The refurbishment has exceeded our expectations."
Tracy joined the committee in 2019 when members found themselves in charge of a cold, damp and underused hall.
She came across an organisation called Great War Huts which persuaded her that the building was worth saving on heritage grounds alone.
The committee set about fundraising and with £25,000 of its own money and £125,000 from the Augean Community Fund and Acre’s Village Hall Improvement Fund, the committee was able to complete the refurbishment.
It took place in three phases - firstly to insulate and repair the roof, secondly to completely overhaul the inside and finally to install bi-fold doors and decking.
The work was finished in time for the hall's 100th anniversary celebrations which took place on Saturday (September 24)
Groups which use the hall gave demonstrations ahead of a games afternoon and an evening performance by the Rutland Big Band.
Have you got a news story? Email smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk
