It's a hall new ball game

The former world number four unveiled the gleaming new building after a 12-year fundraising odyssey by the Village Hall Committee.

The 200-capacity hall will be used for a range of activities, including mini-tennis for young children. The building is also flanked by two newly-resurfaced tennis courts, with new floodlights.

Greg, aged 34, declared it the ideal breeding ground for a future Wimbledon champion.

He said: “This place is a testament to the dedication of the committee, they are the champions today.

“It’s a great venue and the people here have proved they can organise things. It’s perfect for youngsters learning tennis.

“The younger you get them involved, the better chance they have. Why not Bradfield? Champions come from all over.

“I started playing at a similar facility in Canada, except there you couldn’t play outside for months in winter. Here they can play mini-tennis indoors, whatever the weather.”

Greg, who retired earlier this year, works as an ambassador for the Lawn Tennis Association and does television commentary work.

The new hall replaces a timber framed asbestos-clad hall, which had served the village for more than 60 years. The 500,000 for the project was raised over 12 years, with small grants from charities and goods and labour in kind.

It also received one huge grant of 271,746 from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council.

YRCC chief executive Sally Rawling said when they saw pictures of the dilapidated old building, the grant was virtually a ‘done deal’.

She added: “We were horrified that such a building could still exist in that part of the Peak District. I’d like to pay tribute to the hard work of those involved; I know it’s not been easy.”

Funding for the project had been in doubt before YRCC stepped in - after it was shunned by the National Lottery and received no grants from local councils.

The Lawn Tennis Association also chipped in, paying for new floodlights which were completed last week.

Lynn Russell, of Bradfield Village Fellowship, said: “It’s been a hard slog and it’s a very proud day, I’d like to thank everyone who supported our project.

“The hall will be well used and we do have some very talented youngsters that go to all the tennis coaching sessions.”

The hall will be the centre of activity for the village, hosting monthly dances, wedding receptions, guides, ladies’ groups pre-school children and whist, local history and yoga clubs.