A RYEDALE village hall is getting a brand new kitchen after receiving a £9,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Barton-le-Willows hall will now undergo a refurbishment programme which will allow it to lay on a much wider range of community get-togethers, including children’s events, Halloween parties, quizzes and summer parties.

Joanna Danischewsky, events co-ordinator for the village hall, said that through previous grants they have already had new windows and insulation. “Improvements continue apace,” she said. “Now this grant means we’ll be able to have a proper kitchen and extend the range of our activities.

“The hall was built in 1960. It’s beautiful with a big garden and it’s been very well used since then. We involve all the villages around - it’s a vital community resource and they are helping keep it up-to-date.”

She said the new kitchen facilities will allow them to do things like baking and catering for larger groups.

Catherine Bell, one of the trustees of the village hall, said: “We are delighted to get support from the Lottery and it will be fantastic to help develop the village hall into a resource to keep meeting the needs of the community.”

She said the hall serves three other villages as well as Barton-le-Willows - Harton, Howsham and Crambe. “It functions well as a hub for these villages - we don’t have a pub or a shop.”

The hall is one of 91 diverse projects across the Yorkshire and Humber region, which together have been awarded a total of £3,202,397 from the Big Lottery Fund.

James Harcourt, Big Lottery Fund deputy director of responsive programmes, said: “It’s great to see so many projects in the Yorkshire and Humber region bringing a positive change to their communities.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, the funding announced today will support people to overcome barriers, learn new skills and improve their lives for the future.”