The completely refurbished Milford Community Hall was officially
declared open at a Christmas extravaganza organised by the
community in December 2010.
The launch is the culmination of three year's work from local
residents and the district council. Ideas for the new hall were
first discussed when the district council held a Planning for Real
event with local residents in 2007 and subsequently helped to set
up the community association in 2008.
Many keen local people wanted a facility that catered for the
whole community, including a much larger multi-use hall, additional
meeting room, extra kitchen and new toilets.
The project has gone ahead with the backing of South Somerset
Together - the Local Strategic Partnership, the support of the
community and funding from the South West Regional Efficiency and
Improvement Partnership, South Somerset District Council, Yeovil
Vision, Yeovil Town Council, Yarlington Housing Group, Wellbeing of
Yeovil Association and Somerset County Councillor budgets.
Cllr Tony Fife, Area South Chairman from South Somerset District
Council said, "I have seen this scheme develop from the outset and
everyone is pleased to see their aspirations come to life. Already
the new hall has meant that new clubs, activities and events can be
organised for local people. It is a real achievement and will make
a real difference to the community."
Rachel Dyer, Chair of the Milford Community Association said,
"We see the new Milford Hall as a 'hub' for the Milford community
which until now has had no real focal gathering place. It will be a
place where all ages feel at home and are catered for -with groups
for young people and children, the older generation and also
intergenerational groups where the wealth of skills and knowledge,
wisdom and energy can be shared across the age barriers.
"I am so excited to see what was once a dream, is now a reality
for everyone in this community. The hall is so big, fresh and
inviting, I can't wait to see it buzzing with people. A huge thank
you to those who have persevered to see this project through."
Cllr Peter Gubbins, a district council ward member and a
Somerset County councillor who allocated almost all of his county
council community budget towards the project last year said, "For
me this is such good news to see the hall come to fruition as I
have been pushing to gain the funding needed for several years.
This has been a project that has given me so much satisfaction
because residents have been so involved, and together we have
managed to pull it all together and make it happen. To see such an
enthusiastic committee formed with ideas that should help unite the
community can only be a big step forward for this area of
Yeovil."
Anyone interested in running new activities from the hall can
contact Yeovil Town Council on 01935 382424, or email alan.tawse@yeovil.gov.uk.