AROUND 80 people attended a meeting, vowing to do all they can to save Trellech’s historic Babington Centre.

The site has been at the heart of the Monmouthshire community since 1689, but with dwindling use, its trustees are considering selling it for housing.

With it only bringing in around £9,000 a year and the running costs at an annual £12,000, the Babington Trust’s treasurer, Frank Kemp, warned the community “use it or lose it”.

At the recent meeting, Councillor David Lambert pointed out the worrying fact that nobody organises social gatherings at the centre anymore.

It is used on a daily basis by the Busy Bodies playgroup and landlady of the Lion Inn, Debbie Zsygo, said this creates restrictions.

While acknowledging revenue from the playgroup is essential to its survival, she said the fact it is set up like a classroom deters people booking social events.

She said: “Hosting a wedding or country and western evening seems totally out of place and the only way forward is a rethink of the internal space.”

Resident Peter Flowers agreed and said its location opposite the parish church makes it ideal for wedding receptions.

But, he said: “It’s ambience lets it down”, adding: “With some tender loving care, it can be brought back into the heart of the community once again.”

Councillor Ashley Thomas proposed a village hall style management committee to handle the day-to-day running of the centre, with half a dozen people showing interest in being part of this.

Jeanne Dauncey said that villagers had fought to save the Victorian building before and will do so again.

She said: “This village needs the trinity of church, village hall and inn to survive and we must find a way to solve the problems to unite the village. Support it, serve it and save it is my motto.”