A tea party was a fitting tribute to thank all those who have made a major contribution to the redevelopment of Trent Memorial Hall and its new playground.

The new facilities were formally declared open for community use by Michael Birnie, property director of national educational charity The Ernest Cook Trust, which owns the hall as part of its Trent Estate.

Mr Birnie said: “It is nearly 100 years since Trent Memorial Hall was built. So it is brilliant that today we are able to celebrate the completion of two projects. First, the terrific hall which has a range of really impressive new facilities, including fully air-sourced heating, great lighting, a huge new kitchen and a wonderful meeting room. The second project is the excellent new playground on the village green. Detailed planning and fundraising for the playground was achieved in under a year and it is fast becoming a major village asset.”

Paul Harris, chairman of the Hall Management Committee and Project Manager for the works, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to see these exciting projects through from inception to completion. We are hugely grateful to everyone who contributed – in cash or in kind. I am confident that the tremendous facilities now offered by the hall and playground will act as a major boost to the social life of the village, strengthening the community as we emerge from the pandemic. We are extremely grateful to all those who have helped.”

The Hall Committee thanked the villagers of Trent and a number of organisations for their support, including The Ernest Cook Trust, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), Viridor Credits, Dorset Community Action, Dorset Council, Friends of Trent School and Queen Thorne Parish Council.

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