The opening of the School and Community Hall on 10 th December

Many of those who supported the building project came to the official opening ceremony, when Carol Finch, the Diocesan Surveyor (shown here with John Ellicock and the governors), who did so much to ensure the success of the venture, cut the tape.

John Ellicock Chairman of the Governors, who has worked tirelessly to raise the money and to monitor the progress of the building, thanked all who had helped him and said that despite a few setbacks, the project had been blessed by good fortune. John Alexander, the architect, who was originally asked by Stuart Bevan to renovate the existing hall, thanked his team. Jeremy Barber, Chairman of the Parish Council, talked of the long gestation of the project and how the playgroup and hall would benefit the community. John Woodcock remembered the old school, built by his grandfather, and its foundation stone, now embedded in the wall of the new building by the hall. A crowning touch, which left John Ellicock for once speechless, came when Tim Sweet, the vice-chairman of the Governors, announced that the new music and drama room was henceforth to be known as the Ellicock Room. An oak plaque ,carved by Marilyn Smith, commemorates all he has done for the school before and during his 8 years as Chairman.

The guests then walked around the buildings in the winter sunshine and the bells rang. Refreshments were served and the playgroup, kitchens, and classrooms admired. The spacious hall itself with its lofty ceiling, wood floor with underfloor heating, large windows, including a specially commissioned stained glass window by Sasha Ward, was a wonderful setting for such a happy occasion. Sasha Ward also engraved two the new windows by the classrooms with motifs chosen by the children showing wildlife around the school.

You can see more pictures in the photo gallery

Mary Jo Darrah