MANY people visited Pipers Pool Chapel and Community Hub recently to view the completed extensive refurbishment.

An open community afternoon was held on Saturday, June 22 when high teas were served by ladies from the parish.

Val McGill organised the refreshments, assisted by Peggy Stephens, Bridget Pett, Carol Marks and Jean Gollop.

Ladies from the chapel and Sue Jones helped with serving over 100 people.

A memorabilia exhibition of photos, a ‘potted’ history and even a dress worn for a Sunday School Anniversary in 1956 were on display! There were games outside for the children and young at heart.

David Pett welcomed everyone and asked Jean Humber to cut the celebratory cake, which had been made by Jean Gollop.

Jean Humber made a speech in which she said she had lived in Pipers Pool for 65 years and was very proud of it. She had spent many years on the farm at Gospenheale, then retiring to Tresanbar, which had been built by Jean and Hugh, her late husband.

Between 1952-53, a special prize was presented to her for full attendance at Sunday School and Sunday morning services.

At the age of 10 she started to play hymns in chapel on the old style pedal organ. She continued playing for many more years.

Jean served as Sunday School secretary, Sunday School teacher, communion steward and had taken Reader services.

For many years she was a member of Pipers Pool WI and had organised parish events, one being the annual car treasure hunt which is still going strong.

She spoke of the old Ebenezer chapel which was built in 1839 where the entrance to the present car park is situated.

It is now 200 years since the first Methodist Society was formed in Pipers Pool in 1819. It is very fitting therefore that the refurbishment has been completed in 2019, bringing the building up to the 21st century.

The whole project has been several years in the planning and the chapel has been closed for several months while the work took place.

David Pett made several successful bids for grant funding which together with individual donations enabled the work to be done.

David Jones has been the project manager and has spent many, many hours overseeing the work, doing jobs to help it along and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

On Sunday, June 23, a re-dedication service was led by the Rev Malcolm Jones and the Rev Steve Wild, chairman of the Cornwall Methodist District, who brought an encouraging message for the future.

Several children present enjoyed helping Steve tell the story of Solomon building his temple, ably assisted by the puppets he had brought with him.

There were some visitors in the congregation and during the service, Bob and Jean Mitcheson were welcomed to the church family at Pipers Pool.

David Jones thanked all the workmen involved in the project for the excellent workmanship they had shown and the high standard that the building now boasted.

He also thanked all the grant funders and individuals who have given donations to the refurbishment project.

After the service a savoury bring and share buffet was served with amazing desserts enjoyed by all.

Many more came to view the chapel in the afternoon when even more food, including cream teas, were available.

The chapel windows had been decorated with beautiful summer flowers by the ladies of the chapel.

There was high paise for the standard of work involved in the building and the overall opinions were very complimentary by those who came to appreciate the new chapel and community hub.

The weekend was well supported and donations for church funds were much appreciated.

They now look forward to events in the new building, organised by the chapel and community.