AT LAST work can begin on a face lift for the popular Cookham Dean Village Hall. Up to £40,000 has had to be found because new legislation required structural changes to the hall facilitating disabled access and toilets. This coupled with the need to upgrade other out-dated facilities involved a level of cost far beyond the money generated by the village club subscriptions and the club's normal fund raising events.

Now, however, thanks to a concerted effort by residents and those using the club the necessary funds have been found. There has been grants from the Parish Council and other bodies and external work begins on Monday, June 13 and internal work will begin on July 20. All work is due to be completed by September 2. There is a vibrant community focused on the village hall and the new facilities will bring it up to 21st century standards.

A TREE WAS DAMAGED and a large bough fell off in the Alfred Major Recreation Ground at the weekend. It is thought children may have jumped up and down on the branch. Piles of broken glass in the public car park in Sutton Road have been removed by the parish council's staff.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK raised over £1,300 in the parish and on Sunday at Holy Trinity Church the money was blessed during the Parish Eucharist. The Holy Trinity Youth Group is to join in a conservation activity at Cliveden on Sunday, June 10 from 10am to 4pm. The activities will include laying a footpath, laurel clearance and there will be a picnic for the workers.

BOOK CLUB meets for a bring and share launch on Friday, June 10. Contact Barbara or Charles on 01628 522255.

THE NEW CURATE for the Cookham benefice is to move into his new home in Broom Hill at Cookham Rise on Monday and church folk have decided to put together a welcome basket of basic foods, tins and household goods for when he arrives. This will be his first post.

THAMES HOSPICARE has its annual open gardens event at Cookham Dean on Sunday, June 12 from 2pm to 6pm. Local gardens will be open and cars can park on the cricket common in the middle of the village. Teas will be served in Cookham Dean village hall.