South Somerset District Council's Areas North Committee awarded
the funding to help with the excavation of the old solid floor and
replacement with a beam and block system, and the refurbishment of
the toilet.
The floor and toilet form a crucial part of a £120,000 project
that has already seen the restoration of the roof and structural
repair work. Once they are complete, the facility can reopen for
the first time since it closed in 2005.
The Old School Room is a Grade II listed building built in 1828
by villagers as a much-needed school, constructed using materials
randomly found throughout the village.
It had many regular users from the village's population of
around 1000 people and since its closure, the facility has received
regular enquiries about availability. Former and potential user
groups identified a need for the hall's refurbishment.
Les Collett, South Somerset District Council's Area North
Community Development Officer said, "This is an example of a
project that will make a real, tangible difference to the whole
village community who will, when the hall is finished, have their
own space for events and clubs to meet, and for
functions.
"The project has been broken down into manageable bits and the
district council is particularly pleased to support this key part
which hopefully will enable the hall to open once again.
"The district council wants to help communities help themselves.
By supporting well thought out projects, even with a small amount
of money and advice, it can help attract further external funding
that will enable the scheme to progress."
John Hough, Project Co-ordinator for the refurbishment said,
"For one thing we would like to see the return of a community
facility which has served the village so well for so many years.
But another reason is so that we can recognise all the effort that
the villagers put in to build this fascinating space and to
remember it for generations to come."
The work has also received funding from the parish council, the
church, and the Parochial Church Council, and the overall project
has been supported by many further sources including South Somerset
Rural Levels, Local Action for Rural Communities. Villagers have
been given the opportunity to Gift Aid donations over the past
week.
More information on South Somerset District Council's Area
Development is at communities@southsomerset.gov.uk
or on 01935 462462.