A massive £120,000 refit of East Hanningfield Village Hall is close to completion, incorporating a new village shop, sub-post office and sports changing rooms.

Under the scheme, the village post office, which has been housed in a temporary building for the last four years, will be incorporated into the village hall.

The project is a major initiative run jointly between East Hanningfield Parish Council and the Hanningfield Charity, which was established 15 years ago.

It was funded by Essex Learning Services, the parish council and charitable body the Carnegie UK Trust.

Colin Warren, of the Hanningfield Charity, said: "This is very good news. Although we were originally hoping to be opening next week, the bad weather delayed things, and we are now hoping to be finished in the next four weeks.

Postmaster Tom Wright left his job as a post office area manager to take up his position in East Hanningfield four months ago and is looking forward to the refit.

"This is something the village deserves," he said. "

Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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