I headed over to Noak Hill this afternoon to celebrate the completion of grant funded works at the Noak Hill Victory Hall. The hall had been only patch repaired since its rebuild in 1949, following its destruction by the last V2 bomb to fall in Havering. However nearly 70 years on the roof and windows needed replacement and last year local volunteers, led by community campaigner Lesley Haylett, successfully applied for funding from the National Lottery Awards for All "Big Lottery Fund" to replace the roof. At the same time volunteers also received a substantial grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust to replace the windows, doors and then re-decorate.

Among the invitees were Havering Leader Cllr Roger Ramsey, funders, villagers, volunteers, past and present users, councillors, suppliers, local business people, plus local church and temple representatives. I was honoured to unveil one of two plaques to commemorate the works, and to hear about the fantastic history behind the project.