HASLEWEY got a rousing cheer from members of Age Concern as they raised their glasses to the new community centre last week.

Gone are the days of the hairdressing salon in the loos, sitting on hard, plastic chairs and all manner of problems associated with their former Wey Centre home, vacated last month.

Last Thursday, trustee Jean Mansley ,whose dream of a new day centre for the elderly for the district began 16 years ago when she was Mayor of Haslemere, officially opened the doors of the £1 million community centre.

"It's a wonderful day for everybody. I've waited 16 years for this to happen and I wish you all every happiness", said Mrs Mansley, as she drank a toast to Haslewey.

And Age Concern members agreed as they sat down to enjoy their first lunch in the new surroundings.

"It's beautiful and all the people are so friendly," said Lil Hendry as she tucked into her roast lunch.

Mrs Mansley apologised for the absence of the chairman of Age Concern, Edith Kinghorn, and Admiral Bill Cook, who had both been involved in the hard-fought campaign and fundraising efforts to see the fulfilment of the ambitious scheme.

"For all of us who worked so hard on the project, we never gave up and we've got here at last," said Mrs Mansley.

Also present at the opening were the Mayor and Mayoress of Haslemere, Michael and Fay Foster.

"This is a wonderful day for Haslemere," echoed Mr Foster, who recalled the early days of the campaign to build a new day centre when people were encouraged to buy bricks as part of the fundraising scheme.

"Looking back at the plan of Haslemere for 1965, this was the site for a civic building and this is a splendid place which will go from strength to strength," he said.

"We owe an immense debt to Jean and her colleagues who have worked so hard."

After lunch it was off to the hairdresser's for Margaret Turner in the bright new salon incorporated into the building.

The salon is open to men and women and hair stylist Pearl Chew said: "It's absolutely super, Haslemere is very lucky."

With a wealth of existing activities, and more to follow, Age Concern's new manager Judy Paget was delighted with the first day in their new home.

"We are hoping to be able to provide t'ai chi, reflexology ,and sequence dancing in the future," she said as she joined in the celebrations.