Kitchen facilities in Claypole Village Hall have been fully refurbished following a grant from the South Kesteven Prosperity Fund.
Over £25,000 worth of upgrades to the kitchen will improve the experience for those hiring the hall and allow it to host food-related events and activities.
The refurbishment was part-funded by a grant of £19,620 from South Kesteven District Council’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Cllr Philip Knowles, Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing and Chairman of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund Board, said: “I am delighted that funding from the South Kesteven Prosperity Fund has supported such a special building and fantastic local asset to improve its facilities and increase access to the wider community.
“Left in trust to the village more than 100 years ago, it is vital that we continue to support Claypole residents and volunteers to look after the hall and provide a space where the community can come together to socialise, celebrate and stay active.”
The charitable trust, which oversees the management of the hall, also funded a further £6,500 with £1,500 from its own finances and a £5,000 donation left in the will of local resident, Jane Taylor.
Jane was a passionate member of the team which organised the annual Christmas lunch for Claypole’s senior residents. It was Jane’s wish that facilities at the Hall be improved to make the event viable for years to come.
The new kitchen was installed by local tradespeople over the festive period and includes modern fixtures and fittings and upgraded cooking facilities.
The upgrades will mean those hiring the hall can use the kitchen to provide hot meals or host food-related activities, such as cooking and baking workshops.
Claire Simmonds, Chair of the Claypole Village Hall management team, said: “Upgrading the kitchen was one of the final steps in a long journey of renovation work undertaken at the hall.
“Over the past few years, we’ve invested heavily in refreshing the interior and exterior, renovating various rooms, including the library, bathrooms, and the former caretaker’s cottage to lease out to The Side House coffee shop and upgrading our audio-visual equipment to support the Claypole Cinema Club.
“The Hall celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and we are delighted to be able to keep it looking its best and ensure it’s ready to serve the community for another 100 years.”
The South Kesteven Prosperity Fund is currently accepting applications for Year 3 funding which will be available from 1st April 2024.
For existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions that fall within rural parts of the district, funding is also available through the South Kesteven Rural Fund.
Image credit: Google maps
