A WIRRAL community group's plan to celebrate its centenary year has been boosted by £10,000 in lottery funding.

The group, based at Upton Victory Hall has organised year of activities to celebrate the centenary of a memorial to the sacrifice of local men in the First World War.

Funds will also be used to pay for improving some of the facilities.

The story of Upton Victory Hall began in September 1919 when a group of parishioners chose a site on which to build a monument to those who had lost their lives in the war. Events to mark the centenary of that moment will begin with the hall opening its doors to the public on Saturday September 7, with Mayor of Wirral Tony Smith as a special guest.

Among activities on the day will be a vintage and craft fair, dance and music demonstrations, stalls, games and refreshments.

Lauretta Radcliffe, Upton Victory Hall committee chair, said: "We're delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

"Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to improve some of our facilities whilst also celebrating our centenary.

"We hope as many as people in the area, who might never have ever been to the hall, will come to enjoy the open day."

The Upton Victory Hall charity was formed in 1919 and funds were raised via donations from the community.

Originally the site was to be used for the benefit of the people of Upton but its popularity means it is now a resource for those living in neighbouring towns and villages as well.

The current hall dates back to 1962 when it was built to replace its predecessor, a former house on the site which was demolished.

The tennis and bowls pavilion was added later. The hall and pavilion are used for a string of clubs and activities including badminton, bowls, croquet, tennis, karate, yoga, line dancing, art classes, dance lessons, a ukulele band and slimming and exercise groups.

The pavilion is hired out for private parties and the hall is also used as a polling station in local and general elections, for Townswomen’s Guild meetings and by the NHS as a base for blood donation.

Lauretta Radcliffe, Upton Victory Hall committee chair, said: "Upton Victory Hall was created to serve the local community and 100 years on it is still going strong.

"We get everyone from toddlers to centenarians in the area coming to enjoy the facilities but we're always open to new clubs and societies that might want to make use of the site as well."

Funds raised by the open day, and other activities throughout the centenary year, will be used to improve the facilities.

More details about the open day are from

www.uptonvictoryhall.org.uk

and on Facebook @uptonvictoryhall.