VILLAGERS have celebrated the modernisation of their community hall following the completion of a £26,000 refurbishment project.The work at the Memorial Hall in High Road, Trimley St Martin, was sparked by the need to improve access for disabled people in line with new government regulations.

VILLAGERS have celebrated the modernisation of their community hall following the completion of a £26,000 refurbishment project.

The work at the Memorial Hall in High Road, Trimley St Martin, was sparked by the need to improve access for disabled people in line with new government regulations.

Chairman of the management hall committee Tony Rodwell and his team decided it would be a great opportunity not only to accomplish that but also to modernise other areas of the hall, which is used daily by a variety of organisations.

The work has involved turning part of the old lobby into a spacious disabled toilet, creating a new lobby plus a new modern kitchen at the front of the building.

An upstairs overhead balcony has also been added for sound and lighting technicians as the hall is often used for theatre productions, particularly those of the award-winning Trimley Saints Players, and also other groups such as FADOS.

Management committee secretary Heather Rodwell said everyone was thrilled with the work and the huge difference it has made to the facilities for hall users.

“It really has modernised the building and provided some excellent facilities. It was a lot of work but it was well worth it,” she said.

The official opening was done by county councillor John Goodwin, who cut a ribbon to open the facilities.