SATURDAY saw the culmination of more than 12 years of campaigning and fundraising when the new Community Centre was officially opened at Wisbech St Mary.
It has taken villagers more than a decade to finally secure enough funding for the project with the Big Lottery providing the majority of the nearly £1million cost for the new hall.
The money came through last February and it has taken 12 months f
or the centre to be completed.
Saturday's grand opening was performed by children from the village primary school who won the opportunity to perform the honours in a competition run at the school.
Seven children: Lucas Gellert, Jack Green, Keeley Field, Holly Milham, Jodie Haines, Daisy Goddard and Libby Albutt, were divided into two groups with each set of children cutting a ribbon at one of the hall's two doors.
DJ Johnny Dee from Radio Cambridgeshire was the celebrity guest, but Graham Drew, spokesman for the community centre explained they had wanted to involve youngsters in the celebrations and official opening as they are the future.
Many of the organisations who make use of the centre were on hand throughout the day to give demonstrations and encourage new membership.
Saturday evening saw a continuation of the celebrations with a disco, which was well attended and then on Sunday the hall became a theatre with children's entertainment.
Mr Drew said: "The new hall is a fantastic facility for Wisbech St Mary and also for all the surrounding villages. Private hire and bookings are essential as they help keep the prices down for the community groups."
