Work starts on new community hub after fire

Children from St Nicholas Primary School were first to put spades in the ground

Work has started on a new village hall after the old one was destroyed in a fire.

Plans for the new community hub were drawn up by the parish council and village residents after Bromham's social centre, near Devizes, burned down in June 2021.

The official ground breaking ceremony took place on Tuesday and was attended by more than 100 people, including children from the local primary school who put spades in the ground for the ceremonial first hole.

Margaret Bray, 98, was also at the event and said she is planning "a big party" for her 100th birthday at the new Bromham Community Hub.

Mrs Bray added that she looks forward to "having a really good time" at the new hub.

Margaret Bray, 98, is planning "a big party" for her 100th birthday at the new hall

The hall is costing about £1.4m, which is partly funded by the National Lottery and the government's Levelling Up Fund.

Chair of the parish council, Jim Butler, said it was a "hard battle" to get the new hall funded and approved.

"We've had a problem with the insurance and raising funds, but we finally got there," he said.

"It was the centre of the village and we need it back as soon as we can get it."

Chair of the parish council, Jim Butler, said it was a "hard battle" to get the new hall built

Sue Wilkinson, chair of the trustees, added: "It's 50 years ago this week that the old village centre opened.

"We're trying to make sure that everything we could do in the old building will be possible in the new building.

"I've done it for the village, for no other reason, because the village lost its heart without that building."