RESIDENTS who help run a local community centre which has had around £35,000 of refurbishments said they are delighted.

The Murchfield Community Centre in Dinas Powys is a volunteer-run centre in Dinas Powys which is used for a variety of events.

The work was enabled by a grant from the Stronger Communities Fund, from the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The centre has recently had a massive overhaul, with the main hall being painted and getting new flooring and new men and women’s bathrooms.

Chairman of the community centre John Fanshaw, who is also vice-chairman of the Dinas Powys Community Council, said that a lot of work goes into running Murchfield and hopes it will be used more by members of the public.

He said: “This upgrade has had a wonderful effect on the community centre and although it is used a lot already, we hope it will bring more people in.”

Treasurer and booking secretary of Murchfield Community Centre Judith Anderson said the centre is very popular with all ages of the community and regularly hosts cinema nights.

She said: “This is the refurbishment done and we don’t know what we will move on to yet.

“We have lots of groups and events that go on here – mother and toddler groups, charity nights. We have people use our Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) as well.

“One of the main things we do is hold a cinema night which a lot of work goes into. We use the main hall for this and we have a projector and bar and kitchen area.

“The hall is very spacious and we have done everything. We have an alcohol licence so we have a wine cooler and hold a licensed bar. We have black-out blinds and a large screen which drops down.

“We’ve had events where the whole of the hall was completely packed out for a film. It was great but very stressful for us! Everyone enjoyed themselves though.”

Mr Fanshaw and Ms Anderson say they believe that the regular use of the community centre keeps it running, and they want more people to come along and hold events there.

The community centre also hosts Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern (DPVC), which is a charity run by volunteers and offers help and advice to the community.

Chris Franks, who is one of the trustees for DPVC, alongside John Fanshaw, who is the chairman for DPVC, said: “DPVC kind of runs in harmony with the community centre. It is based here and although a separate organisation, we both work together.

“The great thing about Dinas Powys is that everyone comes together, and that’s what we want more of in the community centre, more people coming together.”