Billericay Spiritualist Centre is celebrating moving into its first ever permanent home - with a visit from one of the country's top spiritualists.

Judith Seaman, president and a minister of the Spiritualist National Union, will conduct a dedication service at the new hall on Wednesday, March 31.

The move into the new home, which can be found in West Park Crescent and backs on to the town's railway station, comes after a lengthy fundraising campaign that stretches back an amazing 20 years.

The hall was formerly used as the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall, but was bought by the spiritualists in December.

The move was a fitting end to what was the group's golden anniversary in the town.

Spiritualists first met in Billericay in 1948, using rented premises in the High Street as their base.

Since then they have had three different names, changing to the Billericay Spiritualist Centre in 1996.

A number of different meeting places around the town have also been used, most recently the popular Reading Rooms, which are also in the High Street.

The first service at the new hall was held on January 24 and a full programme of weekly events is now up and running.

Services are held on Sundays and Mondays with a guest speaker invited on the first Saturday of each month.

For more information on the Billericay Spiritualist Centre call 01277 211353.

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