Newbury MP opens new Hermitage Village Hall

Hermitage villagers marked the opening of a new village hall on Saturday, July 24 – and were joined by Newbury's MP for the occasion.

Furze Hall – equipped with its own kitchen, sound and lighting systems – is to be made available to the general public and community groups for events.

Parking is provided outside for up to 50 vehicles and a new youth club will operate out of the hall.

Its opening, complete with cake and refreshments, was attended by MP Laura Farris and West Berkshire Council vice-chairman Rick Jones.

Mrs Farris said: "It was a pleasure to open Furze Hall on Saturday.

"After a year in which community has been more important than ever, it was wonderful to open such a beautiful spacious community resource in Hermitage.

"It will enhance the village and provide a great venue for classes, events and community gatherings in the future."

Furze Hall was made possible by individual donations from villagers, as well as from a Community Infrastructure Levy grant from the district council.

Local firms RSK Plumbing and AMT Services volunteered their expertise, offering plumbing and carpentry services, respectively.

A spokesperson for the Hermitage Village Hall Committee, Sara Disson, said: "It has been a huge community effort to complete the Furze Hall in Hermitage Village Hall, but it now means that alongside Hermitage Pre-School we can offer a host of other events to benefit everyone locally.

"The hall offers some of the most spacious, attractive and modern facilities in the area and we are very grateful to RSK Plumbing and AMT Services for their fantastic work.

"We look forward to hosting a range of events and activities in the hall."