Delight that hall's future has been secured

I am delighted that the future of St Christopher’s Hall in Dobbs Weir has been secured after several years ofnegotiation.

Roydon Parish Council has agreed to purchase the hall from St Peter’s (Roydon) Parochial Church Council and hold it for use by the local community.

The Dobbs Weir Residents Association, the hall’s current sitting tenant, has spent a considerable amount of time on the issue and is delighted that a resolution has now been reached.

I appreciate that these have been difficult negotiations.

In October 2010 I asked questions of the Church Commissioner in the House of Commons and subsequently secured Tony Baldry’s assistance as a mediator between the two parties in April 2011.

St Christopher’s Hall is a fantastic community asset and I am so pleased that the residents of Dobbs Weir and Roydon Parish Council have come together to safeguard its future.