VILLAGERS in Farndale have spelt out their aspirations for the future.

Topping their list is a new village hall to replace the wooden building at Church Houses and affordable homes for young people and new job opportunities. So far, said James Thurtell, chairman of the village hall committee, the scattered community has raised £35,000 towards the anticipated cost any development of between £200,000 and £300,000.

“We are hoping to get a Big Lottery grant towards the project,” he said. As well as a catalogue of local fundraising events, the 220 residents have had financial help from the Auto Club, which holds motorcycle trials in the dale and gives donations to the village hall.

“It’s extremely important that we do have a new village hall because our existing one dates back to 1953 and was a Second World War Army hut from Duncombe Park, given by The Earl of Feversham.”

The plan is to build the hall on the same site, near The Feversham Arms, and the Farndale Estate of the late Sir Laurence Barrett has provided a piece of land to enable a car park to be created.

Over the years, residents have kept the hall in use by carrying out repairs, enabling organisations such as the parish council, a children’s club and social events to be held.

The latest project is a cinema club, which is being backed by the North York Moors National Park.

The residents created the parish plan with the help of Rural Action for Yorkshire’s Maggie Farey, who said there were not many people in their 20s living in Farndale because of the lack of jobs and homes.

Residents want an investigation into potential opportunities to build some social housing.

They also want a single parish council to replace the existing two, and an outreach surgery established in the village hall, as well as a defibrillator.

A book club and a part-time post office should be set up in the hall.

Among the other issues is to have a communal septic tank emptying organised, a coal buying syndicate, a games evening, education courses, film nights and a club for teenagers.

Maggie said: “There is a lot of enthusiasm for village life in Farndale and the residents are keen to see their quality of life improved. Hopefully their plan can now be taken forward and by working with local authorities and various agencies, hopefully they can be helped to achieve their aspirations.”