RESIDENTS in Savernake Street took a trip back in time on Sunday for a retro-inspired street party to celebrate the area’s history.

Organised by the Eastcott Community Organisation, the fun-filled 1950s-inspired day was put together to celebrate the heritage of the Savernake Street Social Hall after the group were awarded a £10,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant last year.

The money has allowed the group to research, document and celebrate the heritage of the local area, enabling them to explore the heritage of the area, and record this for generations to come.

Caroline Davies-Khan, chair of Eastcott Community Organisation, said she was pleased by the turnout from locals.

“When we announced that we were going to put on a 1950s inspired street party, people were really enthusiastic and interested about it and the residents have got behind the history activities we are doing,” she added.

“As well as hosting the street party, we have plans underway for an exhibition and booklet detailing the history of the hall and so it is great to celebrate the heritage here and enable the residents to come together as a community and increase opportunities to meet one another.

“It is fantastic to be able to have the opportunity to research the social hall and then be able to produce the booklet which will be a lasting document of all the different uses.”

Caroline adds that each decade, the social hall has served a different purpose for the community from being a civil defence centre during the 1950s to a day care centre. She hopes it will continue to be at the heart of the community for years to come.

The street party on Sunday had something for everyone from face painting and a puppet show for children to a vintage-inspired performance by students from The Judith Hockaday School of Dance and Drama.

There was also live music from the Chocolate Candy Band playing ‘50’s and ‘60’s hits, and local band Sweet Nightingale.

Julia Cain, 45, lives on the Kingshill and brought her seven-year-old daughter Jessica along to the festivities.

“I decided to come along because it is something for the kids to do on a Sunday and it is free which is great,” she said.

“There is definitely a community feel about the whole thing and it would be nice if other areas did similar events.

“This one is quite perfect actually because it isn’t too busy and it is things like the puppet show and face painting that keep the children occupied and the park is next door which is great.”

Savernake Street resident James Giles, 37 has lived in the area for the last 12 years and decided to support the event for numerous reasons.

“Well it is about embracing the community spirit,” he said. “There are a lot of new people on the street and so things like this are about trying to get them to come out and meet everyone.”

All raffle proceeds collected on the day will go back into funding the hall and more fun activities to be organised by the Eastcott Community Organisation.