Dove Holes residents are looking forward to more community gatherings now that their village hall has had a makeover. Thanks to a major grant from Tarmac’s national Landfill Communities Fund,* the hall has been redecorated, new sofas and coffee tables have been installed and the kitchen and toilets have had a revamp.
Simon Youd from the Dove Holes Community Association said: “We were delighted to receive this major grant from Tarmac. It has enabled us to transform our village hall into a real community hub – a facility which is more attractive and welcoming, which will enable us to move forward generating further income and securing facilities for future generations.
“Our village used to have two pubs; it now only has one which is not open all the time. Our aim is to make the hall a versatile and vibrant community venue which is booked up with a range of events from Artists club, Multiple Sclerosis Yoga, line dancing, ballroom dancing and Youth Club. The refurbishments have already paid dividends as we have had numerous bookings for parties and a Wedding.”
Tarmac’s Tunstead engineering services manager Reg Gartside went along to see the work for himself. He added: “We are very pleased that this fantastic local scheme was awarded a grant from the company’s national Landfill Communities Fund. The money has been put to very good practical use making the hall a much more inviting and comfortable venue – I am sure it will now be extremely popular with villagers of all ages.”
*The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund (or Landfill Tax Credit Scheme as it was formerly known) enables landfill operators like Tarmac, to donate part of their annual tax liability to enrolled Environmental Bodies for a variety of approved community and environmental projects. Landfill operators can reclaim 90% of their contribution as a tax credit which means the remaining 10% must be provided either by them or an independent third party. Through the fund Tarmac donates around £1 million each year to community projects throughout the UK. The fund is open to applicants who meet the strict criteria for projects delivering community benefit. For more information please go to www.entrust.org.uk.
Photo caption: Back row – Reg Gartside, engineering services manager from Tarmac Tunstead (left) presents Simon Youd of the Dove Holes Community Association with a special plaque to install in the newly revamped village hall. Front row – members of the line dancing group take a well earned break on the new sofas!