VILLAGERS in Old Cleeve have celebrated the 90th anniversary of a facility given to them by one of their community's greatest benefactors.

Gerald Lysaght was a wealthy steel magnate from South Wales who retired to Chapel Cleeve Manor between the two world wars.

In addition to building the village's Memorial Cottages - almshouses - and paying for repairs to the parish church, he built the Lysaght Hall in 1923.

A few years later a working men's club was added for the support and enjoyment of local people - and to ensure that the money spent by workers indulging in a tipple went back into community coffers rather than boosting the profits of local publicans.

And last weekend, at least 55 of today's villagers remembered Gerald's generosity with a celebratory community tea and entertainment.

A special anniversary cake featured a picture of the benefactor and the venue that has stood the test of time.

"Gerald Lysaght did a lot of good work in the village," said Margaret Cook, a trustee of the hall.

The hall was originally used for meetings, parties, shows and pantomimes, activities which largely still continue apart from panto.

However, that could be on course for a revival because the anniversary celebrations have included the restoration of some vintage scenery backdrops which villagers say would be perfect for panto.

The scenes depict a village square, a cottage in the wood - a reproduction of the lodge at the entrance to Cleeve Park - and the cottage kitchen.

The backdrops have not been used for almost a decade since renovations to the hall.

But they have now been cut down in size and repaired.

"We have no idea who painted them but they're really wonderful and must be around 70 years old," said Mrs Cook.

"There have been mutterings in the village about having a panto just so we can use them."

Margaret Cook is pictured holding the anniversary cake with, from left, committee members Judith Stabb, Gill Ogier and Carol Hunt.

Photo: Steve Guscott