MORE than 100 people gathered for a birthday tea to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Headington Parish Hall.
The hall in Dunstan Road was opened by the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev DG Loveday, after members of the public raised £7,000 for the cost of the hall.
On Sunday, the hall’s management committee invited regular users to celebrate the anniversary with a ‘birthday tea’ – at which a piano was donated, to be used for children’s ballet classes.
Penny Fox, a member of the management committee, said: “The hall is used by lots of groups, including dog training, Scottish country dancing, yoga, keep fit and the Women’s Institute.
“The management committee runs it as a charity and we are completely dependent on letting it to various organisations.”
She added: “It’s amazing to think that £7,000 was raised by public subscription to build it. There were street collections and pencils you could buy, and at one point there was a three-penny-a-week fund.”
The hall was designed by architect Thomas Rayson, who also designed a block for Oxford University’s Mansfield College and an extension for Keble.
The committee’s AGM takes place on March 18. To attend, call Mrs Fox on 01865 765419.
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