A CIVIC tea at the former home of Dr Alex Moulton in Bradford on Avon launched the town’s Countdown to Peace programme.

The Grade II listed Jacobean hunting lodge, built in 1610 by wealthy clothier John Hall the Second is now run by the Alex Moulton Charitable Trust.

Dan Farrell, managing director of the Moulton Bicycle Company, and a trustee, took guests on a tour of the ground floor.

He said they hope to open The Hall, which is tucked away behind high walls off the Holt Road, for public viewing in the new year and then to bring it back into use.

He added: “The trust is looking to the town to suggest ideas on how The Hall can be used more and appreciated.”

He was speaking at a civic tea party hosted by Bradford on Avon’s Mayor, Cllr Alex Kay, attended by more than 30 invited guests.

They included the Mayor of Frome, Cllr Richard Ackroyd, the Deputy Mayor of Chippenham, Cllr Desna Allen, and Rev Joanna Abecassis, the vicar of the town’s Holy Trinity Church.

Cllr Kay said: “It’s a wonderful old building and we’d like to see it used more for events and special occasions.”

The tea party was also the launch event for the Bradford on Avon Countdown to Peace programme, which has seen more than 40 events taking place in the ten day run-up to Remembrance Sunday on November 11.

Proceeds from the launch event will go to Countdown to Peace, the Bradford on Avon Women’s 100 Group, and charities, including the Royal British Legion, and the armed forces charity, SSAFA.

Local Save the Children Fund volunteers served tea and cakes and jazz pianist Max Stanton entertained the guests.