PEOPLE from across Rose Hill came together to mark construction work at their new community centre.

A topping out ceremony was held at the new £4mAshhurst Way building yesterday to celebrate the start of the final stage of construction.

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford Colin Cook tightened the final screw in the first of a bank of solar panels which will feature on the roof.

He said he was delighted to be involved with the ceremony.

Mr Cook added: “Community centres are often the glue that hold communities together and, to draw that analogy out, this community centre looks like it will be a particularly strong glue.

“There are so many exciting elements included and I genuinely cannot wait to see it open.”

After the topping out, residents had a go at making solar panels, learned about recycling and got involved with craft projects.

The Energise Rose Hill event was part of Low Carbon Oxford, which is a week-long event promoting initiatives to cut carbon emissions.

Oxford City Council will manage the new community centre, with work at the site expected to be complete by December.

The centre, which is being built by Beard, is on schedule to open by Christmas and will replace the old centre in The Oval.

It will bring together community groups from across the Rose Hill area and will also feature a health hub, a community gym, a fully equipped training kitchen and cafe.