Eco-friendly parish centre opens at Blandford (From Bournemouth Echo)

Eco-friendly parish centre opens at Blandford

7:00pm Monday 1st March 2010

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“WE declare the centre open!”

Voices from across the generations were lifted in unison at the official opening of Blandford’s new eco-friendly parish centre on Saturday, February 27.

The youngest children from each of the town’s three primary schools – four-year-olds Langley Weight, Alfie Dade and Jazmine Andrews – joined centenarian George Campion to cut the ribbon on the £560,000 community hall in the Tabernacle area.

Musicians with the Royal Signals Band from nearby Blandford Garrison serenaded residents, clergy, councillors, traders and police officers in an early boost for the centre’s vision as “a place where church and community meet”.

The rector of Langton Long, the Rev Tim Storey, told the Daily Echo the five-year journey to Saturday’s opening had been “a road littered with miracles”.

“It was a project that I felt God had his hand on, and I knew if He was behind it, it would happen,” said Mr Storey.

“The congregation has gone the extra mile. They surprised me in a sense, but as I’ve got to know them, I’ve seen what an incredibly generous bunch they are.”

A modern interpretation of the Biblical parable of the talents saw a 10-fold return on the £600 invested by church leaders in their parishioners’ fundraising schemes.

The hall – which boasts solar panels, a ground source heat pump, triple-glazed windows and a bamboo floor among its eco-friendly features – has replaced the 130-year-old parish rooms, which were demolished last January.

Half of the cost was met from the sale of Leslie House, the Georgian former curate’s residence opposite the centre, while eco-grants and more than £100,000 raised by parishioners has left just £20,000 outstanding.

A gift day was held on Sunday in a bid to fill the funding gap. An open morning for residents will be held on March 20.

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