Broadwindsor is celebrating after securing the funding it needs to transform its village green.

Contractors Huck are working in the centre of the village at Bernards' Place where the Comrades Hall Management Committee plans to hold an official opening ceremony.

"This is fantastic news for the whole village," said interim committee chairman Andrew Hookings.

He continued: "There has been so much support for this amazing project in such a short time, from children donating their pocket money to residents of sheltered housing giving some of their pension money to our Crowdfunder appeal."

Funding for the project, which sees the installation of challenging and inclusive play equipment and the creation of open space for outdoor events and exercise, has also come from The National Lottery Community Fund, Dorset Council's Capital Leverage Fund, Sport England's Places and Spaces Fund and the FMR Trust, which is administered by Broadwindsor Group Parish Council.

Part of the new village green in Broadwindsor.

Mr Hookings said: "We are hugely grateful to local residents and to these grant-making bodies. We also thank those who have been working away to get this project done, through hands-on work on site and beavering away in the background on funding applications."

The village green revamp was first mooted almost three years ago when the committee, under the chairmanship of the late David Leader, decided to open up the space for the community and improve the children's play equipment.

But then the pandemic happened in 2020. The vision for Bernards' Place took on a new dimension - physical exercise and being outdoors had never been more important. 

In the interim, however, the costs went up and the committee faced a £20,000 shortfall. It decided to launch a fundraising campaign to see the project through to its conclusion.

Mr Hookings said: "The reconfigured village green, with opened-up community space and exciting play equipment, will be a much more sociable place, helping to build a strong and healthy community.

"Bernards' Place is Broadwindsor's little gem, right in the heart of the village and next to the well-used Comrades Hall.

Bernards Place, Broadwindsor.

"The revamped village green will be a fitting tribute to David's memory. He was so involved in spearheading community projects, particularly those involving families and children, and the project at Bernards' Place meant a great deal to him, and to all of us in the village.

"We are looking forward to the official opening and getting together in celebrating this wonderful achievement."