The opening of a new community centre in Epping Forest was warmly welcomed ten years ago this week.

Crowds flocked to catch their first glimpse of a new £1 million community centre that has opened in a deprived estate.

For decades residents in the Limes Farm Estate in Chigwell had to make do with an old wooden cabin to hold workshops and meetings in.

After repeatedly asking Epping Forest District Council for improved facilities that could act as a hub for regenerating the community, in 2010 their wishes were granted when Essex County Council and the district council agreed to provide the funds for the construction of a new community hall.

Difficulties laying the wiring for the building meant that its opening was delayed twice, first in October then again in December of last year.

But this afternoon (February 21) the new Limes Hall finally opened its doors to the public and scores inspected the new facilities, which will house a medical centre, youth club, and the council’s housing offices.

In the packed main hall residents chatted with community groups about the range of classes, activities and workshops that will be held there.

Donna Owens, 42, of Fencepiece road in Chigwell, attended the opening with her one-year-old daughter, Emily.

She said: “It is lovely. We have been waiting for this for a long time.

“The staff seem really friendly and helpful and I am really glad we have it. I used to go to the old centre and did courses in mathematics and in parenting and am sure the bigger centre will help even more people.”

Robert Allen, 73, has lived in Copperfield in Limes Farm for 42 years.

He said: “They have done a fair good job. You would hope having something like this would help people here.

“In the old centre they used to do tea dances and it would be nice if there was something like that in the new centre as well.”

Tottenham Hotspur FC have their training ground in Chigwell, and two of their rising stars, Cameron Lancaster and Massimo Luongo, were there to chat to the estate’s young players.

Lancaster, who is 19, said: “I am sure there are a lot of good young players here and I would just say to them follow your dreams and go for it.

“It is really good atmosphere here and this centre obviously means a lot to people.”