A BRAND new wooden gazebo dubbed South Marston’s ‘hidden secret’ has finally been revealed.

On Sunday, villagers gathered in the glorious sunshine to watch as Emma Chapman from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust had the honour of cutting the ribbon to declare the gazebo in St Julian’s Woodland officially open.

It has also unlocked a new venue that can be used for a plethora of purposes and activities with youngsters already asking if they can use it for picnics.

The event was also a celebration of the partnership between South Marston Parish Council, the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, who look after the area, and Hills Homes, who donated the land.

During the opening Nick King from Hills Homes spoke of how the company is passionate about working with the community, while Emma from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust highlighted the importance of nurturing nature.

Parish councillor Barry Thunder said: “It’s unveiling something that not everybody knows about and it’s all about coming together as a village.

“On the parish council we do nothing but give our parishioners bad news. There’s going to be 2,500 houses here and another here, this closing, whatever. So we thought let’s spend some money and have a party.

“Today is really unveiling the hidden secret of St Julian’s Woodland, at the same time opening a new piece of land that Hills Homes has given us behind the orchard.

“We’ve had children who have asked ‘Can we come up here and have a little picnic?’, ‘Can we come up and sleep or do our GCSE revision?’ it’s all about bringing the community together.”

And Barry added: “We also want to thank the Wiltshire Wildlife for giving us the Heritage Lottery money to build this gazebo, which they have paid for.

“In a couple of weeks’ time they are also going to provide a steel secure tool store so we can get volunteers tools all stored together and have a central meeting point.”

During the celebrations at the weekend people could also enjoy face painting, a teddy bears' picnic, yoga lessons, as well as drumming and a barbecue. Rays Ice Cream was also on hand to offer something cold to cool people down in the rising temperatures.

Later in the afternoon there was also a mini parade to a new kissing gate.