Jeremy Hunt MP; the Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Jeremy Ricketts and the Mayoress of Farnham, Debbie Ricketts together with members of Wrecclesham Community Centre and representatives from the key funding organisations.
Wrecclesham Community Centre has been officially reopened by the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP who has unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of a refurbishment that cost nearly £200,000.
The South West Surrey MP and Secretary of State for Health was joined by more than 50 people including many local residents, at the opening ceremony on Saturday 10 May. Guests also included the Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Jeremy Ricketts; members of the Wrecclesham Community Centre Management Committee; representatives from groups that use the Centre and invited guests.
The Centre, which has been closed since February for the refurbishment now has a new, pitched roof; an extension to the main hall which has provided a much needed and spacious storage area; durable flooring; modern toilet facilities; advanced security systems and furniture which can cater for the various needs of the many users. The final touches of the refurbishment included the redecoration of the entire Centre.
In his welcoming speech, Christopher Ellis, the Chairman of the Wrecclesham Community Centre Management Committee, thanked Jeremy Hunt for agreeing to unveil the commemorative plaque. Mr Ellis paid tribute to the major funders of the project, which included The SITA Trust, The Veolia Environmental Trust, Farnham Town Council and Surrey County Council. He also thanked The Farnham Institute, The Isabella Schroder Trust and Waverley Borough Council for their generous additional contributions.
In formally reopening the Centre, Mr Hunt thanked the Management Committee and trustees for all they had done. He acknowledged how it was ‘clear that the refurbishment was a result of a great coming together of the Farnham community across a spectrum of private, public and charitable organisations.’ He described how, in his role as Secretary of State for Health, he had discovered that there is an established link between long and healthy life and the provision of community centres. He quipped that he was therefore: ‘grateful to those involved with the refurbishment for saving the NHS money!’
The Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Jeremy Ricketts said the closing words and thanked everybody who had volunteered and supported the project. He said: “This group of people had a vision and they provided the necessary drive to see it through. They are vital to the Centre – they are the unsung heroes: without them it would not have been possible.”
As well as unveiling the plaque, Mr Hunt also assisted Wrecclesham Community Centre with its contribution towards Farnham’s entry into this year’s South and South East in Bloom and Britain in Bloom. Ably assisted by his son and daughter and local children, Mr Hunt planted a sorbus tree in a garden designed by Farnham Town Council.
A local resident commented: “The building looks fantastic, it’s really nice to see all members of the community here today. I’m sure the centre will go from strength to strength. It’s great to see Jeremy Hunt and his family here today too.”
The centre is available for hire by local groups and organisations. Enquiries should be sent to enquiry(at)wreccleshamcommunityproject.org or call the centre manager Sue Weston on 01252 726779.
Issued 14 May 2014
