ON Saturday, December 4, members of Sandford Parish Hall Committee welcomed local MP Mel Stride to officially open the newly refurbished hall kitchen facilities.

The hall is available to hire for large functions, weddings, etc. With the kitchen now equipped to a professional catering standard there is greater opportunity to fully cater for these types of functions in the future.

The kitchen was installed by Bartlett of Exeter, supported by preliminary electrical, plumbing, buildings works, etc by local contractors Totterdell’s, Gareth Pennington and Ross Stephens.

Capital Funding for the kitchen was provided from hall reserves and government grants during the pandemic.

Sandford Area Community Action also donated the money for the new water boiler and Sandford Parish Council donated £500 to purchase new saucepans, etc.

Mel, who cut a ribbon to declare the kitchen officially open, said: “Once again, Sandford Village punches above its weight creating an asset for the future, post pandemic.

“I am very impressed by the quality and standard of the facility.”