CAMPAIGNERS in Kelly Bray are fighting to keep the WI hall as a community resource after fears that the site could be sold now the women's group has folded.

A sub-committee of the residents' association has been formed to actively oppose any plans to sell the land and building which was constructed 70 years ago for the purposes of 'an institute for the women of Kelly Bray'.

An open meeting is being held next Wednesday (October 30) in the hall at 7.30pm to rally support for the campaign.

Vice-chairman of the residents' association Susie Iannantuoni said the hall had been well used over the years, hired from the WI, for everything from playgroups to a variety of clubs and associations, for birthday parties, quiz nights and craft fairs.

'It is used by the residents' association for their regular meetings, by local councillors for their surgeries and as our local polling station,' said Mrs Iannantuoni.

'The village simply cannot afford to lose its "hub". If is goes the heart will be ripped out of the village.'

She said the residents of Kelly Bray raised the funds to buy the land on which the hall stood in Stoke Road and now they were appealing to the Cornish Federation of the WI to give the hall to the community.

'The Kelly Bray WI wished to give the premises to the village to be used as a proper village hall but the Cornish Federation of the WI has been advised that it is within its rights to sell the building and land,' added Mrs Iannantuoni.

'According to our research when an institute goes into suspension, all monies revert back to the national federation and a building can be disposed of, by agreement, in accordance with the closing institute's wishes.

'We want to prove to the WI federation that we are really serious about keeping the hall for the village.'

A spokesperson for the Cornish Federation of the WI said they were waiting for a ruling from the Charity Commission and would like to come to an amicable agreement: 'We are waiting for a satisfactory conclusion,' they said.

The executive chairman of the Cornish Federation of the WI has been invited to the meeting next Wednesday as well as members of Callington Town Council, county councillor Jim Flashman and local businesses.

Mr Flashman said nothing needed to change at the hall except a change of name.

'If this becomes a community centre there are grants available to rebuild this hall or completely refurbish the existing one,' he said.

'The building is quite worthless and the land underneath open space for community use. The hall should be retained as a community facility for both young and old.'