A CENTURY of memories went on display when villagers in East Quantoxhead marked the landmark birthday of a community facility.

The 100th anniversary of the opening of the village hall was celebrated with a regular monthly market and an impressive display of memorabilia that charted community life down the decades.

Residents past and present had raided their attics and dipped into their photo albums to provide a pictorial history of events - including numerous articles from the Free Press.

"We had people coming through the doors for around four hours," said spokesman for the organisers Jill Jones.

"It was packed, there was a lovely atmosphere and it was a great success."

An anniversary cake made by long time resident Julia Bosley was cut and the market café did a roaring trade, raising £250 for hall maintenance.

The hall was the vision of Alice Luttrell, wife of the then squire Geoffrey Luttrell, who owned the village estate as well as Dunster Castle.

Sadly, she did not live to see the culmination of her years of fundraising for the facility but one of her descendants - Hugh Luttrell - was among the guests at the centenary celebrations.

The hall is still well used and villagers hold a market on the third Saturday of every month - the next is on March 15 from 10am to noon - to raise money towards its upkeep.

Photos: Steve Guscott