MAJOR work costing more than £500,000 to transform Cutnall Green Memorial Hall, near Droitwich, is nearing completion.

The ambitious project, which was made possible thanks to the efforts of determined villagers and committee members, is set to be finished in just a few months’ time.

Villagers and people behind the work met to be shown the site in Addis Lane and to see a time capsule handed over to developers last Friday.

The new facility will be used by more than 2,000 people from Cutnall Green, Droitwich, and the surrounding area when the doors open on September 6.

The hall will offer many community groups a place to meet and serve as a facility for the nearby football and cricket teams. It is hoped that it can be used by many people in the area for many years to come.

The new building replaces the old one, which dated back to the 1940s and was in desperate need of repair.

The dream project became reality thanks to a massive cash boost from the Big Lottery Fund in December 2008 before construction firm J Harper and Sons began to build the hall.

It will feature a main meeting hall, a kitchen, bar, changing rooms and showers, toilets and a stage area. It will also benefit from renewable energy from solar panels and air to water converters.

Adrian Aston, from the Cutnall Green Memorial Hall committee, said: “This marks a milestone for the community.

“It has been a very long journey. The old hall was first opened in 1947, served the community for 63 years, and was well past its design life and in desperate need of replacement. The journey began in 1997 when we failed to get funding, but we tried again in 2006.

“I am pleased to present a building shaped to the community’s need.”

The time capsule will include a copy of the original minutes of the first committee meeting in 1931, as well as the most recent minutes.

There will also be details of the Big Lottery Fund and pictures of the previous hall.