A HOSPITAL turned community centre at Halwill was celebrated by the community last Friday as it reached the grand old age of 100.
The Grade 2 listed building, designed by renowned architect Charles Voysey, was closed as a hospital in 1998 in a cost-cutting exercise by the local health authority but was brought back to life by the community when they purchased it, with grant aid, for £168,000.
Now providing a doctor's surgery and day centre, the Winsford Centre is run by a trust and a happy band of volunteers who have ambitious plans for its future including an IT facility and drop-in centre for young people.
The celebrations, which consisted of a firework display, sausage supper, entertainment and a raffle raised a further £891 to help towards the running of the centre.
Chairman of the Winsford Centre Sandra Willetts said more than 200 people turned up to the event: 'It was wonderful to see Winsford so full of smiling faces and people enjoying themselves,' she said.
'People are delighted it is back in the hands of the community which was how it started out all those years ago and everyone who uses it is very appreciative of what is being provided at the centre.'
Winner of the quilt, which was donated by the Taw Valley Quilters, was Lorna Binns, of Ashwater, whose four siblings were born at Winsford Hospital.