Work begins on Village Hall extension and refurbishment in Walton, Wetherby

Building work is underway on an extended and improved Village Hall.

The Village Hall project is several steps closer now that the extension foundations are complete, the timber frame has been erected and the hall ceiling insulated and plastered at the site in Walton, Wetherby.

The project is being funded by a £97,000 Landfill Communities Fund grant from FCC Communities Foundation, £28,800 from the Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund, £9,900 from the National Lottery Community Fund, and further grants from other sources.

The money will be used to build an extension to house new toilet facilities, including those for the disabled, replace the hall floor, improve insulation and install a new infra-red heating system. During early stages of construction, it was found that parts of the existing roof, and the old floor joists, were infested with woodworm, so the scope of the project has been extended. You never know exactly what you will find in a 177-year-old building! Fortunately, additional funding has been secured, and the hall is still due to re-open in May.

Brian Eldred, chair of trustees of Walton Village Hall, Wetherby, is excited that the project is starting to take shape.

He says: “It’s great to see our vision for this vital community facility moving closer to reality. We are extremely grateful for the funding that FCC Communities Foundation, ACRE, the National Lottery and the other funders have given us, and we’re looking forward to opening to the public.”

Richard Smith, FCC Communities Foundation senior grant manager, says: “It’s always nice to see something we have funded start to take shape. We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile project and look forward to it benefitting the many users of Walton Village Hall.”