THE HALLEN centre is a fantastic facility, which is widely used by all sections of the village community and often further afield.

The history and success of Hallen FC must, in part, be attributed to the impressive grounds on which they’re based.

When the centre was built in 1994, villagers agreed to sacrifice the community’s existing hall and a play area.

This seems sensible as you are effectively retaining the same level and type of facility in the village.

However when, or perhaps if, the centre is closed and the club is forced to fold, Hallen will be a village starved of facilities for its people.

Communities such as Hallen need these places within the village otherwise they start to die off.

It’s a great shame that Almondsbury Parish Council appear to have handled the whole issue so poorly, with many people not even aware of the impending eviction until a few days before the May 31 date.

All of this furore and anger could have been avoided if the parish council had organised with villagers a series of meetings to discuss the centre’s future.

The fact of the matter is that this is a well-used facility and if it is gone, the village will be left without anywhere to host the events and group meetings which form a vital cog in any community.

Hopefully a suitable resolution to the problem can be found and a base for the community in the village can be provided.