VILLAGERS are celebrating the end of a two year battle to buy their own community hall.

A committee was formed in February 1998 to raise the £3,000 needed to buy Clifton Village hall - and a further £3,000 to pay legal and estate agents fees.

And although residents of Newall with Clifton eventually raised more than £7,000 and agreed terms with the owner in November 1998 it has taken until now for everything to be finalised.

Tony Field, secretary of the Newall with Clifton Village Hall Committee, said everyone was delighted that the hall now belonged to the community.

"We are thrilled to bits and are planning a party next Tuesday evening to celebrate," said Mr Field.

At the start of the campaign to buy the 30-year-old hall many residents and local business contributed to the estimated £7,000 needed to clinch the deal.

But even though terms were agreed just months after the sale was announced it was to be several more months before villagers got the keys.

" Interest in buying the hall has waned over the years, as time has gone on and farmers have kept saying to me what's happening with the hall, I've kept having to say it's all going through. It's been a shame, we've not been able to use the hall properly and it has deteriorated over that time," added Mr Field. At Tuesday's celebration party villagers will be asked for ideas on future events and uses of the hall which is basically one room with facilities.

Treasure hunts, parties and talks are already held there but it will be up to residents to say what other uses they would like to see the hall put to.

Mr Field said: "It's basically a very small hall that sits about 60 or 70 people. It has a kitchen and toilet and storage space and some grounds with the most superb views. We had a millennium eve party there and had a ringside seat of all the fireworks displays.

"We will go along with what people want."

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