Highbridge Community Hall has been given a sparkling festive look for Christmas by one of its groups.
Martin Woodsford, who runs Slimming World sessions at the building in Market Street, has overseen the makeover of the interior of the building this month.
Martin told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I have not only been on a mission to promote weight loss and healthy living in the community, but also to bring the spirit of Christmas to the area with a spectacular Christmas Winter Wonderland Makeover at Highbridge Community Hall — and the reaction from hall users has been both astounding and emotional!”
Martin moved to Somerset during the Covid lockdown as a Slimming World national award winner after losing 13 stone with Slimming World and now runs his award winning groups at Highbridge Community Hall on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
“With a passion for Christmas and paying it forward, I asked my members if they would be willing to help bring some Christmas spirit to the hall as the hall didn’t even have a Christmas tree!”
“The only decorations they had were a small box of foil decorations and some old baubles. We had to do something to help the community.”
Martin, who has a stage and theatre background, painted a Snowman for one of the windows before setting about to about asking local businesses for help.
“We had a generous donation from Burnham Portable Toilet Hire and a donation from Sanders Garden Centre with the Slimming World members giving the bulk of the ornaments and trees and with bringing in donations each week.”
“I wanted to create a Winter Wonderland theme to make an impact on the hall as it’s such a large space, so I asked all my groups if they would help and the generosity and selfless giving to help our community has been incredible!”
“I could not be prouder of everyone who gave their time, or made a donation large or small over the past couple of months that will impact and bring Christmas joy the hall for many years to come.”
“It was important to me to create an inviting and welcoming place everyone in the community and seeing the reaction from hall users is worth the late nights at the hall,” adds Martin.
“‘It took my breath away when I walked in,” said Francesca. Another hall userm Pippa, adds: “I wanted to cry – I just couldn’t believe the transformation.”
“It’s the best Community Hall or Village Hall decorations I’ve seen – it truly is magical. Martin is always giving of himself to others and how he has pulled this off is nothing short of Christmas Miracle!”
The hall is ready ahead of the annual Craft Fayre at the Hall this Saturday from 2pm and the local light switching on outside the hall.
To come and enjoy the hall even further, there are two local cinema days at the hall:
The Home Alone Pyjama Party on Sunday 10th December at 4.30pm and the Polar Express Pyjama Party on Friday 22nd December. Tickets are: £5 for children (including treats) and £2.50 for adults
Martin’s Slimming World groups at Highbridge Community Hall:
Tuesdays 9.30, Thursday’s at 5.30pm and 7pm and Friday mornings at 9.30 & 11am and Berrow Village Hall on Mondays at 5.30 and 7pm. For more information, and to book tickets, or to attend Slimming World, contact Martin on: 0734 092 4031.
