FAMILIES enjoyed wreath-making, decorating gingerbread men and listening to Christmas classics as Western Community Centre celebrated its first year under community management.

The Rodbourne Cheney building was taken over by residents earlier this year, as part of cost-cutting moves by Swindon Borough Council.

On Sunday, the centre put on its first Christmas fair. Stallholders selling festive gifts and homemade cosmetics got their spots for free, Swindon choir The Songbirds belted out festive favourites and youngsters were kept entertained by Rodbourne Cheney’s very own Santa.

Glinn Hambridge, chairman of the community centre, said the fun day would help put the building on the map.

“When we took over the centre in the Spring, there were people who thought this building was a fire station,” he said.

“It has been great to put this on. For some of the residents it is the first time they have been in here.”

He hoped the day would raise £700 for the centre.

Shoppers were kept amused by tuneful renditions of Christmas classics by Swindon choir The Songbirds. Sue Wooster, chairman of the group, said it was the ladies’ last Christmas function after a busy three weeks.

“We’re a bunch of ladies who like to get together to have a good sing,” she said. “We do it for friendship, the buzz of singing and meeting new people.

“We get to sing the Christmas songs for three weeks of the year, then we put them away. You have to really enjoy it, but I’m a real Mother Christmas. I really love it.”