Butterworth Hall Community Centre is 10 years old

Dancers of Butterworth Hall Dance Troupe run by Beryl Doggert who rehearse at the Community Centre

Butterworth Hall Community Centre grew out of the old Milnrow Welfare Centre that was used to provide a lunch club for the elderly and space for community groups in the evening.

When Rochdale Council announced its impending closure in 2002  the then users got together to save the centre, which passed into community ownership in 2004.

Bryan Tenny, Chairman of the centre’s Management Committee, said: “We are very proud of what has been achieved for Milnrow and Newhey; we have gone from a dilapidated and unloved building to a vibrant, well maintained centre that is home to 20 local user groups and we get a steady stream of requests to take up vacant time slots.”

To celebrate 10 years of successful community ownership there will be a birthday party at the Centre 2.00pm to 4.00pm on Saturday 10 May.

Mr Tenny added: "Everyone is welcome and the two hours will include dance, live music, art displays and recitals from different groups that use the centre, refreshments and a raffle and the highlight of the planting of a commemorative mulberry tree by the Mayor of Rochdale at around 2.30pm."

Butterworth Hall is opposite the Waggon pub on New Street in Milnrow.