Hall built on graves still dividing village

A long-running row erupted in Hordle over the decision to build the £600,000 Victorian-style hall in the local churchyard.

Objectors are refusing to back down despite calls from All Saints Church to stop "churning over the past" and accept the new facility.

Church spokesman the Rev Graham Smith said: "After many years of planning and preparation, it's finally finished and the hall has got what I call a 'wow' factor.

"It is probably the most significant public building erected in Hordle for many, many years and will serve the village and church for future generations."

Protestors feared that the hall would disturb human remains and said their worst fears were realised when a human leg bone was found on the construction site last year.

The strength of feeling in the community was so strong that residents gathered a 1,200-signature petition against the proposal in 2002.

Mr Smith added: "It is time that the book was closed on the opposition to it and people recognise that the legal requirements were all complied with. While some people may continue to disagree with it, the hall is there and it's available for use. There's no point in churning over the past."

Leading campaigner Tim Boyce believes that many local people will not forget quite so easily.

He said: "It's up to individual consciences whether people will want to go inside the hall or not but it doesn't seem right that people should be invited in there to make merry, literally on top of people's graves. The upset is as widespread as ever."

Mr Boyce refused to rule out the possibility of any protest being held at today's launch and said people would have to "wait and see".

The new hall was built to replace an old wooden building that was repeatedly vandalised.

The Memorial Hall will be available for public hire as well as numerous church activities.

A free open day and craft fair is being held at the new Memorial Hall in Hordle Lane from 10am to 4pm today.