Celebrations have been taking place at the Soper Hall in Caterham following the decision by Tandridge District Council to transfer the hall to the Soper Hall Community Centre Limited (SHCCL).

On Thursday 21st July councillors voted unanimously in favour of the transfer to enable the 'Soper Hall Group' to develop and run the building as a community facility.

The 100 year-old building in Harestone Valley Road used to be Caterham's Town Hall. In the 1970's the new council offices were opened in Oxted and since then the bulding in Caterham has slowly fallen into disrepair. In order to save the building from being sold off to developers, the Soper Hall Group, chaired by local resident Graham Tapley, formulated a bid for the transfer of ownership of the building from Tandridge District Council ('TDC') to the community.

Caterham Baptist Church, whose congregation is outgrowing its current premises in Beechwood Road, Caterham Valley, also submitted a bid to TDC to take over the building.

The lengthy process leading up to the recent council vote on which group should take over the hall was a worrying time for all concerned, during which time the Soper Hall Group launched their 'Save the Soper Hall' campaign to rally support from the community. A report about the details of the transfer, including the terms of the legal agreement, will be considered by the Resources Committee on 13th October.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Gordon Keymer, said: "During this process we have considered a lot of detailed information. Doing nothing was not an option, but the final two proposals were both viable as presented and offered a tangible future for the Soper Hall. It was appropriate for the final decision to be made by all councillors. Local support for the Soper Hall Community Centre group has been very strong and we feel we have made the best decision by securing the building for the widest possible community benefit."

Following the vote, Caterham Baptist Church issued a statement saying: "Caterham Baptist Church welcomes the fact that the Council has taken a clear decision regarding the Soper Hall. We wish SHCCL every success in their endeavours to bring to fruition their plans for the hall's future use. We had asked God to guide us very clearly by opening or closing doors for us in relation to the Soper Hall. We are, therefore, happy to accept a closed door as the answer to our prayers and as God's direction for us at this time.

We shall resume our search for an appropriate solution that will enable us to relieve the pressure on our current accommodation and continue our on-going programme of serving the community through our corporate life as a church family."

Chairman of the Soper Hall Group, Graham Tapley, said: "I would like to thank the Caterham Baptist Church for their good wishes and exemplary conduct throughout the bid campaign, and repeat my offer made to Keith Johns in that any assistance The Soper Hall Community Centre Ltd can offer during their search, and subsequent relocation and possible upheaval, will be willingly offered.

"The next thing for us is to get the local framework in place and from today we start serious fundraising. We need to raise £100,000 and I am absolutely confident that we will succeed."

Following the celebrations outside the Soper Hall, local businessman and supporter of the Soper Hall Group, David Gold, said: "The impromptu gathering at the Soper Hall today was I hope the first of many meetings in the community to celebrate a renaissance of the Soper Hall in its second 100 years. Many congratulations and I feel confident that the group, community and District Council will be pleased with the outcome in the years to come."