VILLAGERS celebrated the 25th anniversary of the opening of their community centre with an evening of entertainment provided by locals.

Colden Common celebrated the anniversary with a party, attended by many of the villagers who were at the opening in 1992.

Maureen Rees, centre manager, thanked all who helped in the celebrations including a team including Emma Cherret, Leiah Ikasa, Vanessa Martin and other villagers for providing food.

Entertainment was provided by local The Drama and Music Group, and individual performances by singers, Jenny and John Sutton, dancers Anna Martin and Hannah Bogust and jazz singer, Leiah Ikasa. Bert Simmonds (saxophone) and Sylvia Mould, who were both involved at the opening events. There was also a display of memorabilia, and a film of the original opening, featuring Sir Patrick Moore, who contributed to the building of the centre. The evening ended with a retro disco presided over by Ben Read.

Colden Common Community Centre was officially opened by The Duchess of Gloucester on October 1, 1992, with the main hall (Gloucester Hall) named in her honour. Many of the people who had worked for years to fundraise, plan and, build the hall attended the opening including Michael Gaskell and Robin Worman, chairman of the village community association and of the Appeal Fund respectively at the time.

Mike and Robin acted as comperes for the anniversary event.

Since it’s opening a clock has been added to the roof of the centre, funded by local resident Paul Nicholson, and a special piece of artwork, commemorating the anniversary, created Pat and Mick Philips, will be placed in the inner garden of the Centre.