Derbyshire: £500,000 fudning for village hall project

Twenty–five years of work has paid off as a community has been granted £500,000 to build a new village hall.

The funding from the Big Lottery Fund will be used to construct a hall with community shop in Wessington off the A615.

Paul Emmerson, chairman of the Village Hall Fund, said: ““This is absolutely outstanding news. The dream of Wessington having a village hall began in the last century.

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“Now, with the help of the Big Lottery Fund we can begin to realise that dream.

“For the first time the village will have a place for community events, for courses and training, and for a shop.”

Construction will start in the autumn and the hall will open in May 2015.

The development has also been made possible by a gift of land from resident Joe Cummins.

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Councillor Barry Barnes, ward member for Wessington, said: “At long last the village will have a meeting place and facilities for local groups and clubs.”

Paul gave his thanks to all the people who had pursued the vision of building a village hall in Wessington for many years.

He said: “In particular I’d like to remember those who began the project Margaret and David Tapsell, Ann and Graham Taylor and Joy Cooper. Our task now is to deliver the hall on time and make sure everyone in the village has the opportunity to benefit.”

The Village Hall Fund team will continue to consult with villagers as the project progresses to ensure that there will be a full programme of social activities in place as soon as the hall opens.

Fundraising will continue in order to purchase furniture and equipment.

Paul also gave thanks to all the current team and trustees, especially Stephen Rose the author of the application for funding.

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