South Woodham's MP Mark Francois spent a Friday morning recently opening the new hall for the town's Women's Institute. Assisted by the Chairman of South Woodham Ferrers Town Council, Cllr Keith Miles, Mark cut the ribbon to open the new hall in Guys Farm Road and then joined the members inside for some brief speeches, followed by a buffet to mark the occasion.
The new hall, which should serve the community for many years to come, replaces the old hall which dated back to when South Woodham Ferrers was still a small village, but which had deteriorated as a building over the years, to the point where it had to be replaced. The local WI branch, which is now led by Hon President Mary Boling, has been in existence since 1923 and the new hall will help carry them forward into the 21st century.
Speaking about the happy event, Mark Francois said:
""I was delighted to be asked by the Women's Institute to open their new hall and following the opening we all sang the WI’s favourite hymn ‘Jerusalem’ to mark the occasion. The building itself is constructed to a high standard and should be an asset not just to the WI but to the town as a whole. I would like to congratulate the WI and all those associated with this project for all of their hard work in making this enterprise a success.""