HAVERFORDWEST'S 131-year-old Masonic Hall is not doomed to become a theme pub or continue as a disco.

With the lease back in the hands of the Freemasons, the management committee is determined to restore it to its original status as a class public venue.

"There is a lot of unfortunate speculation about its future, with rumours of a theme pub, but we are not contemplating selling or leasing it for such a purpose," said management committee secretary, Colin O'Dare.

"We have had enquiries from Wetherspoons and others, but that is not a road we want to go down. This is a watershed as far as Freemasonry is concerned and returning the hall to public use for the town is an opportunity we are not going to miss."

Mr O'Dare, a freemason since 1954 and former provincial grand master, added that the hall, which has been in only partial masonic occupation during the last half-century, run successively by Commander Productions, Ronnie Noott and the Roach family, had once been the focus of almost every social event in the town.

Banquets, balls, dinner dances, bazaars and fetes, exhibitions and civic receptions were held there in its proud heyday.

During its operation as a function centre, night spot and disco, it has been looked after cosmetically, but beneath the surface expensive restoration work is necessary.

"We want to reassure the public that we are not deserting them and, although the hall will close during the necessary refurbishment, we plan to restore it to its former glory as a public asset to the town," said Mr O'Dare.