Magdalen - 16 December, 2005 -

Grateful Magdalen residents have said their thanks to a local man who helped rebuild the village hall almost 20 years ago and has continued to raise thousands for its upkeep ever since. John Smith (85), decided to step down as bingo caller for Magdalen village hall this month after two decades of fundraising for the village facility. The hall burned down in 1986, but thanks to the dedicated efforts of Mr Smith, along with fellow Magdalen residents Mr Alan Sherfield, Mr David Walker, Mr Robert Walker, Mr Wal Warren and Mr Barry Whisler, the village raised the necessary funds to build a new hall. To cut down on costs the men did much of the work themselves and suceeded in building the hall for around 58,000. "A lot of people gave a lot of time apart from us six and all the machinery we were loaned for nothing," said Mr Smith. "We just had builders come to build the walls up to the eaves and had someone come to put the tiles on the roof after we did that ourselves." But the village only received 28,000 from insurers when the hall burned down, and a 15,000 grant from West Norfolk Council, so the men also had to work hard to fundraise for the labour they could not do themselves. The hall was officially opened in 1990 by then Downham Mayor, Mr Tinker Taylor, and Borough Mayor Mrs Yvonne Turrell was at the party. Since then Mr Smith has been chairman of the hall and has continued fundraising for its upkeep with regular bingo nights. Borough councillor Mr Slim Wilkinson said the village was very grateful to Mr Smith. Describing Mr Smith as very community-minded, he said " If you get in a muddle John would always be there."

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