A NEW-LOOK community centre was officially opened by the Mayor of Winchester.

Cllr Vivian Achwal opened the renovated community centre in Colden Common on March 2.

The centre has recently received a range of improvements, which included a new plaque, dedicated to Paul Nicholson for his work for the Colden Common Community Association and the village itself.

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At the opening, a collection was made for the Mayor of Winchester’s charities, and £49 paid over.

Hampshire Chronicle: Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Vivian Achwal, cutting the ribbon

Alex Loughran, trustee and treasurer of Colden Common Community Association, said: “We have recently been able to carry out a number of improvements such as repainting, conversion of redundant space, refit of disabled loo, new carpet in one lounge, new flooring in the foyer at the centre. We also obtained funding to enable us to install new automatic doors.

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Vivian Achwal with Paul NicholsonCllr Vivian Achwal with Paul Nicholson

“We feel it is very much a community based achievement. £10,000 funding was granted by the National Lottery Community Fund, but Colden Common Parish Council also generously gave us a grant. The work was carried out by Colden Common based Bifold Rolfe, wiring by local electrician Mike Coxhead. Teas, coffees and cakes at the ceremony were provided by the local Methodist Church using equipment from CC Twinning Association.

“Chandler's Ford based Peter Green laid the new foyer flooring. The staff and trustees of CCCA also did a large amount of the work themselves to keep costs down.”

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