The scheme will mend and insulate the hall's leaking roof,
rewire the facility with new electrics, replace old inefficient
heaters, provide secondary double glazing for two large windows and
install a hearing loop.
The district council granted the funding from the remains of a
Village Halls budget which is being used to support similar small
and medium scale projects across the district.
The hall committee needs to raise fifty per cent of the
outstanding funding in order to gain a significant grant from Biffa
and the £5,000 means the committee will have met this
criteria.
The work will not only weatherproof the facility, but will
reduce the hall's ongoing energy consumption and costs.
Les Collett, South Somerset District Council's Area North
Community Development Officer
Has been working with the hall committee and said, "As a
small community the village hall is the main focus of the village -
acting as the social, learning and development centre as well as
community meeting place.
"Inevitably, grants budgets at the council are declining,
but there are amounts of funding both here and from external
sources. A little can go a very long way and we want to help
communities to attract further funding and support as part of our
community development and regeneration
role.
"We are pleased to be able to support the village, who
have worked very hard to raise funds, for this project which they
have identified as a local priority."
Robbie Robson, Chairman of the hall committee said, "Many
people in the village have, in one way or another, been very
supportive whilst we have been raising funds towards the proposed
improvements and refurbishments of the village hall. The
present Trustees are anxious that the hall is retained as the focal
point of the community and must be maintained to an acceptable
standard. As Chairman, I am extremely grateful to everyone
who has been involved in this
scheme."
The hall committee, community and parish council have
already raised £4,000.
More information on South Somerset District Council's Area
Development is at communities@southsomerset.gov.uk
or on 01935 462462.
Issued: 30 March
2011