THE Tilford community rolled up its sleeves on October 1 to give the much-loved Tilford Institute and its grounds a much-needed spruce up.

Volunteers of all ages (and even a few pets) came out in force to support the village hall’s Ground Force Day, and got stuck into an array of jobs.

Rubbish cleared from the loft fuelled a bonfire for four hours, overgrown shrubs and trees were cut back, and the inside of the hall and kitchen was scrubbed from top to bottom.

Everyone had a part to play, and the ladies from the WI kept everyone supplied with teas and coffees, soft drinks and plentiful cakes all day.

The cricket club not only brought along the majority of volunteers but also provided everyone with lunch, while The Tilford Nursery along with The Tilford Players took charge of painting the Lutyens Hall - named after the Institute’s Victorian architect, the great Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Tracey Whitfield, of the Tilford Institute, afterwards thanked everybody who leant their support, commenting: “We had such a great day thanks to our volunteers.”

For more information about The Tilford Institute and upcoming events visit the hall’s Facebook page or website www.tilfordinsti

tute.co.uk.