The Difference a Day Makes

VILLAGE historian Leslie Baker began a new chapter in the life of Angmering Social Club when he officially reopened the premises after a 25,000 makeover.

Specialist contractors from the north of England carried out the interior re-fit of seating, tables and curtains, working round the clock so that the club was closed for less than 24 hours.

The ceremony marked the beginning of a weekend of special events at the club, which threw its door open to the public as well as welcoming back members.

And according to treasurer Tina Barnett, the club s investment of 15,000 on a brighter interior and 10,000 on the roof is already paying dividends.

"We have definitely been a lot busier and it s been good to see members who haven t been for a while."

The reopening time was profitable for charities, too, with 170 raised for the Gazette-backed Chestnut Tree House Appeal for a children s hospice at Poling, and 50 for the ex-servicemen s home, Gifford House, at Worthing.

First opened as a reading room in 1900, the Arundel Road hall became a social club in 1905 and half a century ago was taken over by its members from the then Duke of Norfolk.