Prosecco was poured and corks popped at a community centre in Farnham last weekend as a remarkable turnaround was celebrated.

The Chantrys Community Centre has been transformed from a neglected and near-derelict building into a thriving hub since the inspirational Sarah Benton and her management team took over in summer 2024.

Around £10,000 has been pumped into a “mini-makeover” which has turned the “tired building in the middle of a council estate” into a busy home from home.

Improvements have included a new décor, carpeting and blinds while a pool table, arcade machine and pinball machine are among the exciting additions.

Greg Stafford MP and Farnham town mayor, Cllr George Murray, were among the special guests last Saturday at the grand reopening.

Andy MacLeod had a huge part to play as the county councillor for Farnham Central awarded a £8,000 Your Surrey grant for the fitting out in addition to a previous £2,000 handout for the pool table.

He said: “There’s some really good organisations in Farnham Central and one of those is the Chantrys Community Centre.

“Sarah has done an amazing job. Since she took charge she’s turned it around into a very good organisation that’s so important for this community.

“I think the Your Surrey money has been very well spent.”

The set-up also impressed the MP for Farnham & Bordon with Mr Stafford calling the centre a lifeline.

She said: “He said thank you for all the hard work and stressed how good and really important it is for children to be able to go somewhere where they feel safe.”

The Chantrys Community Centre is open 6 to 7 days a week and runs a host of activities and groups, ranging from pool tournaments and jam sessions to a youth club, hang out, SEN group and tuck shop.