VILLAGERS are looking forward to moving to a new parish centre after bidding farewell to their community base for the past 63 years.

Tabley Parish Hall is to close and be demolished as part of work on the new A556 bypass, which started in November.

The trustees of the hall are due to hand over possession of the building in the coming weeks to the Highways Agency, and a compensation package will be used to create a new function room and kitchen and toilet improvements at Mere Parish Club.

Many Tabley residents already use the club, and are looking forward to enjoying the facilities at the improved building.

Planning permission is being sought for the work, which could start in the next two to three months, and residents of both parishes are being asked to suggest a name for the new-look club.

“Although our hall in Tabley will soon be no more, this must be seen as a great opportunity to evolve a new and vibrant community centre just down the road at Mere,” said Alan Greenway, chairman of Tabley Parish Hall and Mere Parish Club.

“Many Tabley residents already patronise Mere, and I hope to see even more there once the improvements are in place.”

Mr Greenway thanked everyone who had supported Tabley Parish Hall, especially Brenda Gibbon and Emily Greenway, who ran a weekly whist drive, the last of which was held last Thursday.

He also thanked hall secretary Irene Hardy, treasurer Margaret Jackson, booking secretary Lyn Greenway, Jack Coleman for auditing the accounts and members of the committee and the trustees.

Tabley Parish Hall was built in 1952 on land off Old Hall Lane donated by the Langford-Brooke family of Mere Hall.

A loan was secured, and a former Army building was bought and erected on the site.

“In the early 1950s the hall would have been easily accessible for most residents,” said Mr Greenway.

“This was before the M6, and some older members of the community will remember the Adelphi Cafe, which stood slap bang in the middle of what is now junction 19!

“There were dances, whist drives, supper clubs, a youth club organised coach trips, celebratory occasions – an endless list of happy memories.

“In the 70s and 80s the hall was used most Sundays by cycling clubs, who raced from Northwich Road lights up to the round tower at Sandiway, and provided an excellent income for the hall.

“In recent years the hall has not been used as much, especially by locals. Two dance groups have continued to support the hall, mainly for its central location but also for its lovely parquet dance floor, which was laid in 1965 at a cost of £205!”