VOLUNTEERS who help maintain a memorial hall which belongs to the people of Pickering are encouraging residents to use and support it.

Pickering Memorial Hall was renovated 15 years ago and over the years a programme of maintenance and renewal has been carried out to ensure the building remains up-to-date and easily accessible.

Mal Danks, secretary to the trustees, said they worked hard to ensure that the hall maintained its reputation.

"As those who visit Pickering Memorial Hall regularly may know, during the past year we have continued to strive for the high standards of maintenance that the local community has come to expect of us," she said.

Mal said they were also undertaking a programme of redecoration in order to keep the place fresh and welcoming and the entrance doors had recently been replaced with more up to date and safer mechanisms.

"Pickering residents who have not been to the hall for a while are very welcome to pop in and have a look as we are proud of the fact that, thanks to local support, we are able to maintain it to a very high standard," she said.

The Memorial Hall's latest fundraiser was a quiz night at the Sun Inn, Pickering, which had raised more than £200.

Mal said: "Our book stall is also an excellent fundraiser and has currently raised more than £2,000 in the three years that it has been going.

"We very much appreciate the efforts of local people who bring in their used paper backed novels and find real treasures to purchase at a price of their choosing. More books are always extremely welcome and can be left at the Hall during opening hours."

Events currently taking place at the Memorial Hall include a wide variety of keep fit classes, Slimming World, yoga, art groups, zumba, kettlebells, WEA lectures, Ryedale Friendship Group, Pickering WI, Dementia Forward and The Hardy Plant Group, along with various annual exhibitions and festivals. The hall is also available for weddings, private parties etc.

Mal said: "The Memorial Hall belongs to the people of Pickering and is managed on their behalf by a small, dedicated team of trustees who are supported by staff and volunteers.

"We are always interested in anyone who would like to join us and we particularly welcome those who enjoy fund raising activities."

Anyone wishing to help in any way or make any suggestions, should phone either the Memorial Hall on 01751 477522 during office hours or Mal Danks on 07956 668894.