TV historian cuts ribbon at vandalised village hall

Celebrity historian Dan Snow joined residents of East Boldre in Hampshire to celebrate the reopening of their beloved village hall, just months after it was ransacked by vandals.

The Hampshire village hall was midway through an extensive renovation project when thieves broke in earlier this year.

Once inside, the vandals damaged water pipes, pocketed expensive power tools and left the building to flood.

In the weeks and months that followed, residents rallied together to raise the funds needed to get the restoration work back on track.

Now, the historic hall, which was constructed during the First World War as a military aviation school, has never looked better.

Hundreds turned out for the grand reopening which, in true village hall fashion, featured tea, freshly baked scones and a mountain of local strawberries.

The heart-warming story of East Boldre – a village which itself sits in one of the country’s most deprived areas – demonstrates the true power of community spirit, and the enormity of what can be achieved when people work together.

Pictures from the opening event can be seen on the East Boldre Village Hall Facebook page.