VILLAGERS and dignitaries gathered in Moorland last Thursday evening to mark the grand re-opening of the village hall – nine months after it was swallowed up by the winter floods.

More than 120 people from the area turned up to see their new village hall and celebrate as BBC Points West presenter Alex Lovell officially declared their new village hall open.

The building was completely gutted and everything, including the roof, was replaced and restored after flood water several feet deep engulfed the village last winter.

Extra financial support for the village hall came in the form of two grants totalling £25,000 from the Somerset Masonic Flood Recovery Fund via Somerset Community Foundation.

This money has allowed for additional improvement works and extra resilience measures for the building.

A £4,600 North Petherton Town Council grant was presented by the town’s Mayor Alan Bradford.

He told the Mercury: “Moorland must feel like it’s Christmas this week. “What a transformation this hall is.

“I would like to thank the team of volunteers who have done a tremendous job and this hall is a real credit to all those involved.

“What a wonderful community we have got here, without these people this village would die.”

He also commended the Rev Jane Haslam of St Peter and St John's Church in the village for her “tireless efforts” in helping the people of Moorland through such a difficult time.

The Community Council for Somerset (CCS) has been managing the restoration and rebuild of the hall.

The group’s chief executive, Katherine Armstrong, who has led the works, said: “What a fantastic event – I have to thank Aviva for funding this celebration and for their support throughout the process.

“This is a fantastic step towards Moorland’s recovery.

The hall is back up and running and looking great.

“I know the committee are anxious to get the hall and its user groups back and to continue to be a well utilised community space.

“The hall really is back to its former glory if not better with a few improvements and extra flood defences.

Cllr Julian Taylor, whose own home was affected by the floods, said: “We have all had depression and anxiety but we are going to get better and survive this and we should be proud of what has happened here.

“We have proven to be a resilient community and hope this is a new start to come together more often.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for their hard work and our thoughts are with those who are still not in their homes – the community and hall is here for them.”

The celebrations were paid for by the village hall’s insurance company, Aviva, and included a bar and hog roast.

Caroline Cooper, Aviva’s director of property claims said: “The flood damage to Moorland Village Hall was very significant and we’re so pleased to be able to get it back up and running for the villagers.”

Meanwhile the village church remains closed for refurbishment to ensure the building will last for another 200 years.

It has received a £2,500 grant from Sedgemoor District Council and waste management company Viridor has also given a grant to help with the work.