ONE OF Oswestry’s most popular buildings is getting a makeover thanks to Aico’s Project SOS and a band of volunteers made up of service users.

Each day during the week, starting from Monday, November 4, a team from Aico will be at the Memorial Hall, in Smithfield Street, to help decorate the main ground floor Oswald room which was last refurbished in the 1990s.

Hall manager Paul Newman said he was ‘beyond grateful’ to all those who are taking part in the decorating, from Aico to town mayor Councillor Mike Isherwood.

“Oswestry Memorial Hall was gifted to the town in 1906 by Mrs Sarah Parry-Jones,” he said.

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“She wanted it to be a memorial to her two sisters who died within a week of each other. She hoped the hall would be a place to inspire and enable community spirit.

“What’s happening here this week is exactly what she would have wanted and will help make sure the hall carries on being a vital community venue for Oswestry in the future.

“I’m really grateful to Aico, Oswestry Lions, Cllr Isherwood and all the volunteers who are helping out this week – and beyond.

“Local trades and suppliers are helping in many ways. and all will be acknowledged in a special ‘Hall of Fame’ notice we’ll erect in the hall.

“The Memorial Hall is more than a building, it is a community of people.

“I hope this will be the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the hall’s history and that we can welcome more people through the doors.”

The hall, which first opened to the public in 1906, has faced a number of challenges over recent years but is fast becoming a thriving community hub for groups, organisations, business owners and freelancers.

As well as hosting clubs and events as varied as a fencing club, a weekly Artisan Country Market and a regular Repair Café, it is also home to singing and dance lessons, business meetings and training, and a whole host more.

Many of its users are contributing to the makeover, either by grabbing a paintbrush themselves or donating money or equipment.

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Oswestry Memorial Hall is also benefiting from help from Oswestry Lions who are covering the main material costs, while Cllr Isherwood who has a special fundraising programme to help new groups access and benefit from the refurbished hall.

Aico community liaisons Laura Opechowska and Jane Pritchard added “ Our colleagues are really excited to be involved in this project.

“We look forward to seeing the transformation, the difference it will make and how the community will benefit from the refurb.”