THERE was a large attendance from the Menheniot community for the official opening of the new village green on Saturday by Sir John Salusbury-Trelawny, a member of the long-established Cornish family.

The new attractive area for community use was decked out with flags for the occasion, after which all were invited to the village hall for a celebration cream tea.

Among the official party were MP Sheryll Murray, chairman of the parish plan committee Keith Goldsmith, parish council chairman Alan Hartshorn and Cornwall councillor Bernie Ellis.

One of the first events to be centred on the new recreation space will be the village carol service around the Christmas tree.

Over the past four months, the village green has had a £90,000 facelift to become the focal point of the village, and a tribute to the late Tony Davies, whose vision it was.

Through better design, the village green has been opened up with new planters and additional seating constructed, and there is a central feature of a granite labyrinth, set in a green tarmac surround.

Keith Goldsmith, said the project is the main element of the village improvement plan.

Commenting on its successful conclusion, Linda Emmett, East Cornwall Local Action Group manager, said: 'The parish plan group and the parish council have worked hard to deliver this project.

'The outcome will be a more attractive-looking centre for the village, offering the opportunity for a diverse range of activities and events to take place.'

There were thanks for all the partners who had contributed funding for the project. They were The Big Lottery Fund‚ The Community Spaces Programme, managed by Groundwork UK, Viridor Credits Environmental Company, East Cornwall Local Action Group which is part of the Local Action for Rural Communities Programme, a European Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE and DEFRA Programme) and James Lockyer Associates Ltd.