THE VILLAGERS and supporters of Empshott met on Saturday for the official grand opening of their newly extended and refurbished Empshott Hut.

Empshott is a small rural community of some 60 houses and in addition to the church its focal community building is a former Army hut which was a gift to the village in 1923.

The hut has been used for a variety of activities over the years including as a school for children evacuated from London during the war, as a men’s Club, for parties, Harvest suppers, Scottish dancing evenings and much more.

It is a wooden building with a sprung wood floor and a stage at one end. Until the upgrade it lacked sufficient facilities to suit modern requirements.

The Elsan toilet installed out the back in 1979 was no longer considered adequate.

The hut management committee have been working on a project to add an extension to the building to include a kitchen and modern toilets since August 2014.

Committee member and architect Richard Ashby was responsible for getting the plans passed and the committee then launched itself into a year of fundraising.

Events were held including a talk by Bill Bryson, operas at Rotherfield Park and an evening with local singing duo Ward-Thomas.

Grants were received from Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council’s cabinet committee, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, the Empshott and Hawkley Horticultural Society, the All Churches Trust, the Church of England Mission Opportunities Fund and district councillor Keith Budden, who made an award from his discretionary fund.

Gifts were also received from residents and the total sum raised was £54,000.

The building work commenced in November 2015 and following its completion some 18 months later the committee invited all involved to come and see the hut for themselves. Committee chairman Geoff Brighton, gave a vote of thanks to all who helped whether by donating money, or providing venues for events, or by turning up to get involved in scrubbing, painting, weeding, washing or clearing out old broken furniture.

He then invited Arthur Scott of Rotherfield Park, a former resident of Empshott, to raise a toast and declare the hut open for use.

The hut is now available for hire and fitness classes, art classes, toddlers groups and a film club are planned.