THE newly completed performance area at Andover’s Vigo Road Recreation Ground was formally opened by the Mayor of Test Valley, Cllr Janet Lovell, last Sunday.

Four years ago the late Mrs Jean Locke left £5,000 in her will to The Rotary Club of Andover with a specification that the money be used for the benefit of the Andover community.

Rotarian Chris Lynn, a former Mayor of Test Valley, suggested that following the removal of the bandstand from Vigo Park a performance area replacement could well be a suitable way to use the bequest. The club agreed and together with support from the Andover Anton Rotary Club and the community and leisure services department of Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) plans were drawn up.

Three years on, with the benefit of a further £1,000 from Rotary district funds to add to the £5,000 legacy and much planning and provision from the rotary clubs and, in particular, TVBC the performance area is completed and ready for use.

A rotary spokesman said: “At the opening ceremony the president of the Andover Rotary Club Igor Obrastsoff -Rutinsky paid tribute to the late Jean Locke.

He thanked the mayor for her attendance as well as Rotarians Chris Lynn and Ian Yeo and Neil Preece from TVBC community and leisure services, for their hard work in seeing the project to fruition over the last two plus years.”

After the mayor had cut the tape a seven-strong section of Test Valley Brass then gave the new stage a musical baptism – hopefully the first of many musical events to come. Even at this early stage there is talk of a full band concert and a Picnic in the Park next summer.