RESIDENTS and businesses are being invited to an open day to celebrate a new chapter in the history of Egerton Hall.

Rostherne village is located at the centre of the Tatton Estate by the main entrance to the separately-owned Tatton Park.

However since the closure of the local Post Office it has lacked a venue to bring everyone together.

That’s set to change after Tatton Estate offered Egerton Hall to the newly-formed Friends of Egerton Hall to rejuvenate the building.

The gift will allow the Friends group to run, maintain and care for the hall with support from Tatton Estate, volunteers and local businesses to revive the much-needed community space.

A replacement boiler for the hall has been funded by Mr and Mrs Randle Brooks and Monkton Properties, and more than 20 volunteers have started work at the hall on stripping, sanding, painting and giving the garden areas and hedges a makeover.

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The Friends group is aiming to become self-sufficient, supported by local businesses including Tatton Group and Forward Developments, which are based in the village.

It is hoped that regular commercial income will cover the running costs of the hall, enabling community events to be hosted at very modest charges.

Friends group chairman Carlasinta Brooks said: “It is brilliant to see that Rostherne and the wider area will again have a venue for all members of our local communities to meet.”

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A spokesman from Friends of Rostherne said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has helped so far, especially to the Brooks family and the Tatton Estate for making this possible with huge energy as well as financial assistance.”

More help is now being sought in time, donations and groups to rent the hall.

The team of volunteers is seeking people to join them for jobs such as sanding and painting, as well as marketing, social media, running an event or drumming up support.

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Financial donations are also sought, which would go directly into the hall, with Forward Developments having offered funding support for the first three years.

Donations of furniture, equipment and marketing materials are also welcomed to make the hall attractive to rent and use.

The hall has enough rooms for numerous events and meetings, and is large enough to host parties.

Bookings can be made on 075848 54822, by emailing info@egertonhall.com or through the soon-to-be launched website, egertonhall.com

The open day is on Sunday, January 26, from 10.30am to 3pm, when the Friends group will launch the first phase of the scheme to revive the hall.

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