THE management committee of Ripple Parish Hall held an open evening on Saturday to celebrate the completion of the two-month project to replace the hall floor, which was sinking due to rotting joists.

Invited guests enjoyed wine and cheese while viewing photographs of the project's progression showing the floor removal, excavation, the rebuilding of foundations and the laying of a completely new floor.

Guests included councillor John Raine, the chairman of Malvern Hills District Council, and Nick Blake, chairman of Ripple Parish Council. Invitations were also sent out to representatives of Awards for All and the Severn Waste Environmental Trust, who with the district council part-funded the cost.

Attendees also included representatives of organisations who regularly use the hall, the contractors who completed the work, and those who generously gave donations. Over £10,000 was raised within the community in less than 12 months.

The project was managed by two members of the parish hall management committee, Paul Fearnside dealt with the specification and technical issues, and John Bennett who looked after the procurement and progress. The project was completed on time and within budget.

Mr Bennett said; "It was not all smooth running, but we did manage to cost into our budget, just about all of the possible problems in advance. When we did experience difficulties, these were all resolved quickly and within our finances.

"Credit must go to all the contracts who worked on the project, especially Steve Evans from Ledbury, the prime contractor. Despite all the things we threw at him, Steve still completed within the timescales agreed."