A MURDER mystery evening was among special events held to celebrate 100 years of a village hall.

Villagers in Overton enjoyed a three-course meal at the event to mark St Mary’s Hall centenary.

The facility was built on the ashes of a row of cottages which burned down, and the anniversary celebrations marked the date when the first stone was laid, on May 6.

Terry Robinson, who is part of the hall committee, said: “It was decided that the village needed a new hall. It was designed and erected on the site and was used as a church hall. We are still looking after it now. It’s used for parties and celebrations, and we have weekly users for all sorts of things such as yoga and keep fit.”

The 77-year-old father-of-one, from The Green, said the hall is very popular with villagers, adding: “We need more hours in the day to accommodate everyone.”

Various events were held over the May Bank Holiday weekend to commemorate the milestone, including a screening of The African Queen, which is set in the year that the hall was built.

The murder mystery also proved to be a popular evening as about 80 people took part.

Mr Robinson said: “A friend of ours made a wonderful cake and as a dessert, everyone was given a nice piece of fruit cake. It was a lovely evening.”