Magic and music as residents mark anniversary of village hall opening

Magician Chris Bylett with Sam, Henry, Ben and Callum (Image: Archant)

The hall was opened in 1997 and cost £114,000 – money raised by the community and through grants - after many recognised the need for a centre in the village.

One of those was then district councillor John Rignall who is still involved with the hall as chairman.

“I have been involved since 1984, when myself and a couple of others decided that we needed a hall as all we had was the school,” Mr Rignall.

“We couldn’t use anything there during the summer holidays so we set about raising money and, with a contribution from a developer, we built the hall.”

Bury and Ramsey Concert Band (Image: Archant)

Mr Rignall recalls that the money was raised from garden fetes, bingo games, raffles and cricket matches against the parish council, the local pub and the church group.

On April 21 a day of celebration was held to mark two decades, with groups that call the hall home showcasing their skills.

In the morning, the sound of the Bury and Ramsey Concert Band filled the hall, along with chatter from the bowls group, the table tennis team, and the women’s institute.

There was fun for all the children in the afternoon as magician Chris Baylett entertained with some illusions.

Bury residents with Huntingdonshire District Council chairman Councillor Peter Bucknell and John Rignall (Image: Archant)

The hall has been developed with three extensions since its opening but Mr Rignall still recalls the day the ribbon was cut.

“It was when John Mayor was prime minister and he, and Brian Mawhinney (former MP for North West Cambridgeshire) came and did the opening,” Mr Rignall added.

“We still have pictures and a plaque in the hall commemorating that, it was an excellent day.”