Funding boost helps sports hall upgrade project at village hall

Longhirst Village Hall has announced that the final phase of work for the project of development at the sports hall in the historic building has been completed.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th May 2021, 18:13 BST
The sports hall in Longhirst Village Hall after the works.The sports hall in Longhirst Village Hall after the works.
The sports hall in Longhirst Village Hall after the works.

Funding of £10,571 following a successful application to SUEZ Communities Trust paid for an insulated suspended ceiling, LED warm light panels, hot water cylinder system, relining of roof valley gutters, boxing in of pipework and kitchen redecoration.

This added to the installation of a new central heating system, radiators and associated pipework that the village hall trustees had already arranged to be carried out.

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Chair of trustees Margaret Lediard said: “This fantastic donation couldn’t have come at a better time for the village hall.

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The sports hall in Longhirst Village Hall before the works.The sports hall in Longhirst Village Hall before the works.
The sports hall in Longhirst Village Hall before the works.

“The hall is an important and much-used resource for not only villagers, but for many other local community groups. Therefore, when the heating broke down and feedback told us that older users, some with hearing and sight loss, were not having the best experience, we knew we had to do something.”

Set against the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, trustee Alan Hardiman has worked hard to organise, and steer to fruition, the programme of internal and external works.

This has involved a range of local tradespeople and as such has given those businesses much-needed work during these difficult times.

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Village resident Joan McKenzie is a frequent hall user as a member of the U3A, Garden Association, Music Society and yoga classes.

She said: “The cultural and recreational activities provided by the hall will be greatly enriched by the improvements to the heating, lighting and acoustics made possible by this very generous donation.”

The chairman of SUEZ Communities Trust, Marek Gordon, said: “SUEZ Communities Trust provides funding awards through the Landfill Communities Fund. We were delighted to offer funding to Longhirst Village Hall.”

Meanwhile, a Church Fete is taking place at the village hall to raise funds for the local St John's Church on Saturday, July 10 from 10am to 3pm. Free entry.

There will be craft and produce stalls and a grand raffle, and home-made cakes, bags, candles, prints, bacon butties and light refreshments will be available.