THE former WI hall in Kelly Bray was filled with supporters at an open meeting last week, to back a campaign to save the hall for the village.

The meeting was called to inform residents of the current situation regarding the hall and to appoint a team to form the Kelly Bray Village Hall Management Committee.

Supporters were told that, following the closure of the Kelly Bray WI earlier this year, the group wanted to give the hall over for village use, but they were informed the Cornish Federation of the WI were within their rights to sell it.

The hall was set up specifically for the village WI 70 years ago and its use cannot be changed without the agreement of the charity commission.

Vice chairman of Kelly Bray Residents Association Susie Iannantuoni was elected as chair of the new village hall committee at the meeting.

She said: 'The Charity Commission couldn't believe that we didn't have a hidden agenda for keeping the hall and that we weren't trying to make a buck out of it somehow.

'The hall has become part of people's lives and the idea is that we keep it on. It would be a great waste if it was to go.

'Be assured I will fight for this because I think we really need it. The only thing that worries me is that although I am pleased with the turnout tonight, we delivered 600 flyers about this meeting — there could have been around a thousand people here.

'With the best will in the world, those of you who have turned up might not make a difference. You need to talk to all your friends and families and make them aware of what's going on.'

At the meeting residents John Kennaugh and Jo Earl were elected as treasurer and secretary respectively, Nicky Alder and Jo Weaver nominated themselves to be on the committee to manage bookings together and Louise Sherriff offered to be in charge of a Facebook page for the committee. A constitution for the committee was also adopted.

Mrs Iannantuoni said: 'The Cornish Federation of the WI in principal agree that the village should have the hall, but unfortunately they have to follow their constitution. They were advised to sell it. Now we have got a full committee and have adopted a constitution, we are all set to challenge what's next.'

Former resident Chris Kansfield said: 'It sounds like your proposing an honourable thing for Kelly Bray.

'It is a public facility and I think your efforts in cobbling support to keep it a community facility is admirable.'

One man suggested re-forming the WI to save the hall: 'Would it not be easier just to re-form a WI here? That would surely be the easiest path.'

Resident Jo Weaver responded: 'Our problem is that Stoke Climsland's WI is incredibly vibrant — I think a lot of Kelly Bray women go there.

'It is a lot of hard work to set up a WI and it would be the enthusiastic individuals that would have to do all the work.'

The public was told that efforts had already been made to re-form the WI, but unfortunately with no response.

Mrs Iannantuoni said they could not rely on trying to re-start a WI to save the hall.

She said that there was money for a 'fighting fund' to pay for legal fees etc, but as soon as the hall is handed over to the village it needed to start making money.

'We need ideas to make it viable other than for birthday parties etc. Regular bookings would be a godsend.

'If you know anyone who has a club or wants to set up a club, tell them to get in contact.

'Remember this hall is ours. We could lose it, but if we show there is a need and that people want to use it, that will stand in our favour. We've got to fight for it.'

Following the meeting, Mrs Iannantuoni informed the Cornish Federation that a committee has been set up and the committee's solicitor will start talks with the federation's solicitor.

The committee will now have to await a decision.