HASLEWEY officially opens its doors next week to as many of the population of Haslemere and beyond it can squeeze through its doors.

So says Edith Kinghorn, chairman of the management committee who is hoping that as many people as possible will come to the party and join in the open day celebrations on Saturday, November 22.

Haslewey will be officially opened by the Mayors of Waverley and Haslemere at 2-30 pm, and a book celebrating the opening of the centre will contain the signatures of the oldest and youngest current users of the new community centre in Wey Hill.

Doris Patterson from Haslemere a long-standing member of Age Concern, who celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year, will be among the first to sign the special book, along with five-year-old Joshua Brockett, who is a member of "Suzie's Songtime", a singing group for the under fives, which meets on Tuesday mornings.

"We think that Haslewey should be opened by the people who use it," said Mrs Kinghorn.

"Residents of Haslemere and district have watched the building of the centre going on for such a long time, we want them to open it.

They have fundraised for years for the new building and now we want everybody to sign the book, and drink a toast to Haslewey so their children and generations to come, can see the names," added Mrs Kinghorn.

There will be refreshments and anybody is welcome to visit the centre between 2 pm and 5 pm on the day. A raffle with prizes, donated by local traders and businessmen, will also be drawn.

The centre, which is used by members of Age Concern three days a week, is also open for community use. "It is doing very well," said an enthusiastic Mrs Kinghorn.

"In all there are 15 regular groups using Haslewey at the moment but we would like it to be used all day, every day for one-off and regular events."

From the new year, the centre is also hoping to serve lunch five days a week.

The £1 million community centre opened its doors in June after a wait of more than 15 years for a building to provide a new home for Age Concern and the community.