TEN years ago Down Ampney’s village hall went up in smoke, and with it a Cirencester couple’s wedding plans. 

A fire crew was called to the Cotswold village in the early hours of the morning in August 2007 to find a wooden shed engulfed in flames. 

Despite the best efforts of four fire engines, the fire spread to the hall. Both buildings were left in ruins.

The building was recognised as the centre of village life, being used by community groups, as well as hosting a village shop and post office. 

Julia Job, chairman of Down Ampney Parish Council, was in tears upon being woken at 3am with the news.

“It is devastating – the hall was a beautiful facility run by volunteers,” she said.

Alex Crossman and Natasha Gardiner were also shocked by the news – their wedding was meant to be held in the hall later that month.

“We booked Down Ampney village hall because it was so lovely and traditional,” Natasha said.

The couple were forced to immediately start calling 30 to 40 places to try to find an alternative venue. Thankfully they could due to the small size of the wedding.

The blaze was believed to be an act of arson and it was estimated that £500,000 would be needed for the hall’s replacement.

But Julia believed in the will of her community to pull together to rebuild its hub. “We are not going to let some irresponsible person spoil our village,” she said.

Julia was right. Within a year of hard work the hall was rebuilt. And in 2015 she and her husband David Job were recognised with the British Empire Medal for their community work, including leading the hall’s rebuild.