THERE was standing room only at Marloes Village Hall on Saturday (January 25), when the whole village came to admire the result of more than £100,000 of renovation work.

The ‘hall for all’ project, which saw the Grade II Listed building being given a dramatic makeover, was made possible thanks to a grant of £114,350 from the Big Lottery Fund.

Built as a chapel, the hall was purchased by villagers from Marloes and St Brides for £300 in 1948, and it became a welcome meeting place for those returning from the Second World War.

Given the honour of officially opening the new hall was 93-year-old Lily Devonald, who served as a ‘Wren’ in the Women’s Royal Naval Service during the war.

Mrs Devonald said the hall had always been at the heart of the community, and it was great to see it brought back to life for the next generation.

Stephen Ford, chairman of Marloes and St Brides village hall committee, said the transformation had only been made possible thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, and the hard work of committee volunteers.

“The idea was to make it a warm and inviting place that everyone could use, and to encourage more activities locally,” he said.

At present, the hall is used to host craft session, a welcome club, Mothers’ Union meetings and various kids clubs, but Mr Ford said he hoped to attract a variety of new events and services, such as dance classes and a community choir.

Mike Theodoulou, from Big Lottery Wales, said the fact so many people had come out to support the project was a “sign of a vibrant community”.

“At a time when cutbacks are affecting people’s lives, there is extra pressure to make sure every pound given goes towards changing people’s lives,” he said.

He said people could no longer rely on the state, and local resources were becoming more and more important in making sure people were not isolated in their own homes.

He said it was poignant that the hall was starting a new chapter on the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s death, adding: “We need to start re-learning what we used to do years ago.

“There is no war right now, but there is a need for all of us to pull together and start looking after each other.”

After a champagne toast, visitors were treated to a delicious tea party, and were able to admire the colourful gulls, decorated by villagers, which now adorn the hall’s walls.