KENDAL Deaf Centre has been officially reopened, almost two years after Storm Desmond caused severe damage to the building.

Cumbria county councillor Roger Bingham, Cumbria Deaf Association's chairman of trustees, did the honours at Saturday's ceremony, and a minute's silence was kept for Remembrance Day.

Renovations to the Castle Street centre were a difficult and expensive task as the whole of the foundations had to be replaced and the entire property refurbished.

When Cumbria Deaf Association faced a £40,000 repair bill, Kendal Rotary Club stepped in to help by applying for a Rotary flood relief grant. They were successful in getting £15,000, and Rotary Great Britain and Ireland also gave a matching grant - securing £30,000 at a stroke.

The centre's reopening was an opportunity for Rotary, the major contributor, and other funders, to be thanked publicly for their generosity.

Representing Rotary were past district governors Malcolm Baldwin and Arthur Jones, David Collins of the grants committee, district governor Larry Branyon, assistant district governor Richard Attenborough, past president of Kendal Rotary Club Peter Smith, Kendal president elect Ken Gibson, Kendal secretary Tim Keegan Secretary, and Pam Keegan, president of Kendal Inner Wheel Club.

Many members of Kendal Deaf Club and Cumbria Deaf Association, including chief executive John Brennan, also joined the celebrations.

A plaque outside the building now marks Rotary's major contribution.