LESS than a year since the Palmer Hall committee in Fairford started a massive fundraising campaign to raise nearly £70,000 to upgrade, refurbish and modernise the 83 year old historic hall, the first event in the renovated hall was held on Saturday, April 6, Chris Roberts writes.

Around a dozen craft stall holders came along to the Spring Fayre and pitched their tables in the community hall that was named after the original patron, Colonel Palmer of Huntley & Palmer biscuit fame.

The public came out in force to support the stallholders and to get their first glimpse of the beautiful, much-loved hall.

The main part of the renovation work was the installation of an accessible toilet in what used to be an old store room.

The run-down and tired bar area also in the old store room was given a new lease of life with a serving area, fridge space, cupboards and worktops.

In addition, there are new modern toilets for male and female users, a bright and airy entrance foyer and a re-plastered and painted main hall.

New stage curtains and blinds for the windows will be added in the next week or so and a unique design painted around the proscenium of the stage.

The £70,000 cost of the work was raised via grants from Barnwood Trust, Cotswold District Council, Fairford Town Council, Glos County Council, Lechlade Lions, Langtree Trust, RAFCTE (Air Tattoo), Tesco Bags of Help, The Ernest Cook Trust, The Summerfield Trust, Waitrose Community Matters and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

In addition, local business, Cotswold Doors, provided the fire doors for the building and Travis Perkins in Cirencester heavily discounted the sanitaryware. Other local businesses have also been very generous and the Fairford community have been equally supportive of the Palmer Hall campaign with donations.

If you would like to hire the hall for your club, group, family party or wedding, please contact Louise on: 01285 711657 or fairfordph@outlook.com.