On Friday, 21st March, James Wild MP visited Thornham Village Hall to officially launch the construction of the village’s new community sports pavilion. The project, which will replace the ageing wooden pavilion dating back to the 1980s, is set to provide modern sporting and social facilities for the community.
Welcomed by Stephanie Mocatta, Company Secretary of the Thornham Village Hall & Playing Field Association, and Billy King Harman, Trustee, James joined over 20 attendees, including representatives from contractors Arch, Strata Architects, Thornham Cricket Club, project sponsors, and Parish Council members, at the construction site to mark the occasion.
Addressing the crowd, James highlighted the significance of the project and the importance of investing in rural local projects that promote sports, social inclusion, and community engagement. He then took up a spade to break ground on the project.
With a strong focus on regeneration and attracting investment in his Plan for North West Norfolk, James has been pleased to have supported the project since its early stages having offered letters of support for the new pavilion and related projects. Support has since been compounded with over £200,000 in wider funding from various stakeholders and community groups.
The facility will include fully equipped changing rooms, a kitchen, a large central area for teams, spectators, and community events, as well as a multipurpose meeting room. Beyond this, the pavilion will also become a hub for social activities, such as coffee mornings and will also house historical archives from the Thornham History Society.
Thornham Village Hall & Playing Field Association Company Secretary, Stephanie Mocatta, said:
"It was great to have James here today at the start of our new build, he has been fully supportive since the beginning. It's also great that the whole community has been extremely supportive of our plan.
It is hard to name everyone who has been involved in getting this far, but we are extremely grateful to all our donors, large and small and both individuals and groups, the pro bono work provided in the architectural, planning and construction phases, the contractors who have worked with us to reach a feasible construction project and all those who have helped with the fundraising and are continuing their efforts."
Reflecting on the project, James Wild MP said:
"This project is a great example of what can be achieved when a community works together. The new pavilion will not only provide much valued sporting facilities but also create a space for local people to connect and engage. I'm pleased to have supported this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on Thornham for years to come."
Construction is expected to progress swiftly, with the structure reaching a wind and water tight stage by August 2025 and full completion by summer 2026.
