Plans for new village hall in Aldworth move step closer

Five-figure grant will enable new hall to be built after years of waiting

A NEW hall that will ‘enhance village life’ is set to be built in Aldworth.

The Aldworth Village Hall Charitable Trust Company Ltd has received a grant of £43,218 from The Veolia Environmental Trust to replace the current wooden hall on Bell Lane which is almost a century old and no longer considered fit for purpose.

In September 2014 the trust awarded the project a grant of £12,223, but an unexpected rise in costs meant that work was unable to start and that the hall trust had to apply for further funding.

The Veolia Environmental Trust will now start work with the village hall trust to finalise the details of the project, including the start date.

Village hall trustee Nick Williams said: “This extra grant is very welcome indeed.

“It will mean we will be able to build the new hall. It will enhance village life and complement other facilities such as the recreation ground and playground.

“We can now look forward to work starting.”

The executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, said: “We have been supporting community and environmental projects for over 17 years.

“During this time our grants have made a real difference to people’s lives and the environment.

“We are pleased to be providing extra funding for this important project and I look forward to seeing it start.”

The Aldworth Village Hall Charitable Trust Company Limited is a registered charity set up as a vehicle to take ownership of and manage the village hall and to raise funds to build a new one.

Since 1998 The Veolia Environmental Trust has awarded more than £967,000 to 32 projects across Berkshire.