The Fernhurst Hub held a birthday party to celebrate 21 years of volunteering and community service.

The sun shone and more than 100 people turned out to enjoy an afternoon of friendship and a free cream tea. Local cake makers led by Pauline Colcutt, had been busy baking scones and there were ice creams for the children who came after school. Pauline has been a volunteer for more than 20 years.

Sarah Coyne said: “My children love coming to the Hub and all three have enjoyed the weekly children’s activities.”

More than 96 people attend language lessons each week, 26 come to play Bridge and 11 learn to play the ukulele. Children are entertained with music groups and craft afternoons and the Hub also holds art exhibitions, evening talks, a Repair Café and more.

Friends Angela Parrot and Gill Taylor have been coming to the Hub since it opened in 2003. Gill provides beautiful, fresh flowers from her garden for the tables every week.

Angela said: “Each week a group of us meet in the Hub, we call ourselves the HAGS – Housewives Avoidance Group! The Hub is such a wonderful asset for the village, and I don’t know what we would do without it.”

Hub manager Liz Rawlings said: “This is an incredible milestone. We have the most wonderful team of volunteers who run the Hub, and their dedication, commitment and cheery presence make sure there is always a warm welcome for everyone.

“They were most deserving of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary service, which they were awarded in 2020. Our tea party gave us the opportunity to say a huge thank you not just to our volunteers but to our lovely customers, some who visit the Hub every day.”

For more details, visit www.fernhursthub.org.uk