Construction of new Thornham sports pavilion officially under way
The construction of a new village sports pavilion is officially under way.
The project will replace the ageing wooden pavilion in Thornham which dates back to the 1980s, and is set to provide modern sporting and social facilities for the community.
The building will include fully equipped changing rooms, a kitchen, a large central area for teams, spectators and community events, and a multipurpose meeting room.
Beyond this, the pavilion will also become a hub for social activities such as coffee mornings - and will house archives from the Thornham History Society.
The project is expected to progress swiftly, with the structure reaching a wind and water tight stage by Augustthis year and full completion by summer 2026.
On Friday, North West Norfolk MP James Wild visited Thornham Village Hall to launch the construction.
Welcomed by Stephanie Mocatta, company secretary of the Village Hall and Playing Field Association, and trustee Billy King Harman, Mr Wild joined more than 20 attendees to mark the occasion.
These included representatives from contractors Arch, Strata Architects, Thornham Cricket Club, project sponsors, and parish council members.
The MP highlighted the significance of the project and the importance of investing in rural projects that promote sports, social inclusion, and community engagement. He then took up a spade to break ground on the project.
He has supported the project since its early stages, having offered letters of support for the new pavilion and related projects.
Support has since been compounded with more than £200,000 in wider funding from various stakeholders and community groups.
Ms Mocatta said: "It was great to have James here today at the start of our new build. He has been fully supportive since the beginning.
“It's also great that the whole community has been extremely supportive of our plan.
“It is hard to name everyone who has been involved in getting this far, but we are extremely grateful to all our donors, large and small and both individuals and groups, the pro bono work provided in the architectural, planning and construction phases, the contractors who have worked with us to reach a feasible construction project, and all those who have helped with the fundraising and are continuing their efforts."
Mr Wild added: "This project is a great example of what can be achieved when a community works together.
“The new pavilion will not only provide much valued sporting facilities but also create a space for local people to connect and engage.
“I'm pleased to have supported this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on Thornham for years to come."
