THE hoardings came down at the newly-refurbished Memorial Hall in West Street last week, just in time to reveal the silhouettes of five fallen soldiers for Remembrance Sunday.

This fitting tribute carries a special significance as the hall was built in memory of five members of staff from Farnham United Breweries who lost their lives serving their country in the First World War.

The Memorial Hall was built by the owner of Farnham United Breweries in 1920 and opened in 1921 in memory of his fallen employees; Private George William Ayres, Private Mark William George Glazier, Charles Thomas Hawkins, Frederick Charles Mansey and John Baden-Powell Wallace.

Having recently undergone a £3.27m refurbishment, the revamped hall welcomed new tenants the Brightwell Gostrey Centre for older people and Waverley Borough Council’s Meals on Wheels service in September, with Waverley Training Services and private hirers set to follow soon.

And as a mark of respect, all the rooms available for hire in the hall are now named after the fallen soldiers; including activity rooms, a health and wellbeing suite, hair salon, therapy room, meeting room, classrooms, office space, a new kitchen, dining area and sunny terrace overlooking the football pitch, as well as a refurbished main hall, ideal for larger parties or weddings.

Jenny Else, Waverley’s portfolio holder for health, wellbeing and culture, said: “We are immensely proud of the Memorial Hall and would like to think we have fulfilled the legacy of the owner of Farnham United Breweries to create a thriving hub for the local community and a fitting tribute to those brave men who lost their lives.

“Not only has it provided a new home for The Gostrey Centre and Waverley Training Services but it holds such great potential for those in our community to come together, be it for a meeting, event or wedding space. We hope the existing users of the hall will enjoy the excellent facilities and look forward to welcoming new visitors through its doors to find out more about the unique offer and its special history.”

To book the hall, visit waverley.gov.uk/memorialhall, call 01483 523340, or e-mail [email protected].