A YOUNGSTER from an after-school club cut the ribbon to its new building to mark its official opening this week.

Grace Rowe, aged nine, was joined by Sedgefield Mayor Cllr Chris Lines to perform the ceremonial duty at Sedgefield Out of School Fun Club on Thursday.

The event at its base at Sedgefield Primary School was attended by children, parents and staff and marked the start of a new ear for the club which has been in existence for more than two decades.

Sue Bell, club manager, said: “It’s beautiful. The old one wasn’t fit for purpose and we were lucky enough to fund this. It’s much safer, it’s relaxed and it’s warm with a nice homely feel.”

The purpose-built club building is split over two floors with a mezzanine level which separates the juniors upstairs from the infants downstairs.

Following periods of being mixed together and using classrooms in school during its construction, Ms Bell said the opening was a welcome relief.

“It’s much more comfortable as they are not in a school environment,” she added. “It’s like their own little space and we’re over the moon.

“There’s a separate area for the infants and juniors which is great because they have very different needs.”

Funded through grants from trusts and foundations, and with help from the community, the £135,000 project has allowed the club to accommodate a designated crafts and communal area, an office, and fully-equipped kitchen.

Having spent many years managing with just a microwave, kettle and two toasters, the club is planning on teaching the children to cook.

Ms Bell said the new unit was much warmer than its predecessor which was demolished in the summer.

“The last building had no insulation and although we used heaters it was never very warm in the winter and it wasn’t a welcome environment,” she added.

There is also a games area with a new Play Station 4 and Nintendo Wii while a ‘donation tree’ stands to honour those who helped fund the major project.

More than 100 families are registered with the fun club which looks after children aged between three and 14.

For more information call 01740 623565 or email sedgefieldfunclub@tiscali.co.uk