A PIECE of Pinehurst’s history has been brought into the 21st century thanks to the efforts of the parish council.

The refurbishment of Pinehurst Reading Rooms, which dates back to the 1950s, is due to finish this week.

Following a £40,000 investment by Central Swindon North Parish Council, the building on Pinehurst Circle has once more be made suitable for the community.

Chair of the parish council Coun Steve Henderson said: “The idea was to make the best of the facilities.

“We wanted to make it fit for purpose for all kinds of committee meetings and it’s completely functional now. It’s bright, it’s businesslike and it’s very much fit for the purpose of people having serious conversations and all meeting together.”

The refurbishment includes significant improvements to the disabled access from outside as well as installing motor-assisted doors, widening the door frames and improving security. Inside, new lighting has been added, with replacement flooring and modifications to the ceiling.

Parish clerk Andy Reeves said: “We took on the building from Swindon Borough Council and it hadn’t been invested in for quite some time.

“We were surprised that no disability access had been put in, so we had to do that as a priority to ensure that, importantly, anyone who wants to attend the meetings can do so.”

The building also has new furniture, microphones and a hearing loop installed so all councillors can be heard.

“It’s now fit for the 21st century,” added Coun Henderson. “And there’s a real sense that this is a building that is now well cared for.”

The building has had a number of different uses since it was constructed, including hosting dances, community meetings and most recently as a boxing hall.

Andy explained neighbours had supported the original building of the Reading Rooms by sponsoring the bricks themselves.

“They paid for a brick and they then had a stake in the building and were able to use it,” said Andy. He added: “It was a really important building for the community and well used.

“Before the time when everyone had a car, people would spend a lot more time in their local communities so it would have been an important part of Pinehurst.”

The Reading Rooms, which also has kitchen facilities, will predominantly be used for parish council meetings but can be made available for others to use.

Coun Henderson said: “The idea is that we want to use it to maximum effect so that where appropriate, all members of the local public if they have need, can actually apply and it can be considered.

“The parish council has one objective and that is to serve the population of Central Swindon North and we want to do that, and everything exists to do that.”