Villagers rejoice at cash for hall

Dec 26 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

AVILLAGE in Northumberland is celebrating after being awarded more than £300,000 towards a new community hall.

The Big Lottery Fund is to provide the money for the new building at Slaggyford, on the site of the existing Women’s Institute Hall.

The money will provide 83% of the projected cost with the balance coming from local fundraising, which has brought in £27,000 over four years, and other local charitable trusts.

Money has come from Defra under its Rural Enterprise Scheme, the Joicey Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, the Community Foundation, South Tyne Valley Fund and the Smith Foundation.

Financial support has also been provided by Knarsdale and Kirkhaugh Parish Council, Tynedale Council and Northumberland County Council.

Community Action Northumberland helped prepare the application.

Irene Boyles, secretary of the new hall trust, said: “This is fantastic news and rewards all the hard work and effort that has been devoted by the entire community both in terms of fundraising, planning and form-filling.”

The existing hall was funded and built by the ladies of Slaggyford WI in 1935 for their own use on land gifted by the Honourable Ursula Wallace of Featherstone Estates.

Over the years the hall has been well used by the community under WI management but time has taken its toll on the building.

Featherstone Estates have agreed to continue the gift of the land to the community for the new facility.

The village needs to raise a further £20,000 to complete the project.

Another major funder is required following the loss of the support of the Northern Rock Foundation.

It is hoped construction of the new hall will begin next May for completion in early 2010.

The community has been involved in the design of the new facility, which will provide a main hall, a meeting room and a kitchen.

The entrance lobby will provide local tourist information and facilities for people using the nearby Pennine Way and Sustrans cycle routes.