A PROJECT to build an eco-friendly community building reached a milestone on Friday at a ceremony at The Phoenix Centre.

The celebration was held to mark the end of two phases of The Phnenix Centre scheme at Sandwich, especially the completion of a

dedicated new youth wing which includes a café space for young people of the town.

Throughout the opening, everyone involved in the project was praised for their vision and hard work.

County council chairman Cllr Leyland Ridings said: “The Phoenix Centre is a tribute to the drive and commitment of the STARR initiative, to the group’s concern for community needs and their care for the environment.”

He cut the ribbon to formally celebrate the grand opening ceremony of the new youth wing at the afternoon event organised by the trustees of The Phoenix Centre.

Cllr Ridings, the Sandwich ward member on the county council, was joined by members of The Phoenix Youth Forum.

The guests included many funders, members of the project team Chris Norris from Woodley Coles, Mark Hall of Cyma Architects, the builders Rob Barlowe of BEC, as well as Sandwich MP Stephen Ladyman, the Mayor and Mayoress of Sandwich Cllr and Mrs Joe Trussler and representatives from Sandwich Town Action and Rural Revival, or STARR.

Rural director of South East England of regeneration at its best.

Sue Beer, from Deal, of Kent Rural Towns