�63,000 village hall project underway
WORK has begun on a �63,000 project to refurbish Langley with Hardley village hall.The hall was created in 1981 when residents raised money to convert the building from an old school house.
WORK has begun on a �63,000 project to refurbish Langley with Hardley village hall.
The hall was created in 1981 when residents raised money to convert the building from an old school house.
And once again local people have clubbed together to further improve the building for the community.
The work is expected to have finished by September, when the village hall committee will hold a celebratory fete that will also mark the 75th anniversary of the amalgamation of Langley and Hardley as a single parish.
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The improvements, mostly funded by a recent �44,263 grant from environmental body WREN, will include an extension, a new heating system, a new kitchen, non-slip flooring and refurbished toilets including an easy access toilet.
“When I got the call from WREN I ran up and down the stairs saying yes, yes, yes!” said Lynn Starman, of the village hall committee.
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“We're really, really trying to make it as friendly as possible and make it really nice. Next year is 30 years of the hall and it needs bringing up to date with the 21st century. It was getting a bit tired and sad, it just needed smartening up. It's the only public building in the village. We've lost the pub, so it's really the focus of the village now. Hopefully we'll get more people using it.”
The village hall committee has been fundraising for two years. Events held include a bingo event with Radio Norfolk's Stephen Bumfrey. Other contributions included �8,500 from the Norfolk Rural Community Council, �4,863 from South Norfolk Council and donations from Langley with Hardley Social Club and Langley with Hardley Parish Council.
The committee also acquired �5,000 in February when it took part in a Dragon's Den-style competition run by the Association of Local Councils, winning the money by presenting a strong case before an audience.
The launch of the hall and 75th anniversary of the parish of Langley with Hardley celebrations will take place on Sunday, September 12.
