Villages hall improves facilities thanks to grant

Harborough District Council allocated more than £48,000 to support the project from Section 106 funding – developer contributions to improve community facilities in areas where housing has been built. 

Fundraising by community groups also contributed to the project.

The refurbished toilet block has further enhanced the village hall used by drama groups, fitness groups, history group, WI, guides, karate and kickboxing groups, whist drive, pre-school nursery and for church meetings, birthday parties, wedding receptions, and craft fairs.

This follows on from new air conditioning and heating equipment installed at the village hall in 2017, thanks to nearly £8,000 from Section 106 funding.

Tim Marshall, Chair of the Fleckney Village Hall Management Committee, said: “The newly refurbished toilet block is a long-awaited and important addition to Fleckney Village Hall. My thanks to the committee members who led the project - Darren Parlby and John Beynon, our architect and technical advisor Graeme Jenkins, our builders and all the friends, colleagues and groups that contributed their time and expertise, and who raised funds for the project over very many months. Of course, projects of this size are a very big deal for any village hall, and we owe special thanks to Harborough District Council for their support in providing the funding that made the project possible.”

Cllr Simon Whelband, Harborough District Council Cabinet lead on Wellbeing, Communities & Housing, said: “We are pleased that the Council has once again been able to allocate this funding to improve this much-used village hall. It is important, after a challenging year for everyone, that this hall continues to provide an opportunity for people to come together and take part in activities in a safe and comfortable environment.”

Pictured: John Beynon, vice chair of the village hall committee, and Tim Marshall, chair of the village hall committee receive a plaque from Alison McDaid and Nada Hankin from Harborough District Council