A VILLAGE hall committee has secured three grants to help it expand its existing facilities.

Rillington Village Hall Committee hopes the new improvements will encourage more people to use the hall.

Heather Drabble, from the village hall committee, said: “Thanks to Ryedale District Council’s stronger communities programme Inspire grant, the village hall will soon have wi-fi coming to the hall.

“Secondly, we have been granted a table tennis table and equipment from Table Tennis England through their Ping Community Grant scheme.”

Heather added: “We now have two tables in the hall.

“The first event was held in February and it is hoped we can develop the group and possibly a team in the future.

“We had such a good response so are continuing the activity every Sunday and everyone welcome.

“The equipment will also be available to hire.

“Thirdly, we have also secured a Lottery Community Fund Awards For All grant of £10,000 to update the decoration in the large hall, improve the storage area and repair and repaint the exterior of the building too.

“The grant will help us make a good start to the project, but as the hall is such an old building it is in constant need of repair.

“We hope the re-decoration of the hall, combined with the new wi-fi connection, will encourage new users to the hall.

“We have some new activities starting in the hall, which is great news too, including zumba and ballroom dancing, as well as existing users, such as aerobics, young farmers, Yorkshire Country Women’s Association, Brownies and the pre-school for children from two years old, which includes sessions five days a week in term time.”

Heather added: “At just £12 the hall is a large space to hire with lots of scope for different activities.

“We are also looking at holding courses at the venue.

“The committee is made up of a small number of hall users who are local residents.

“We also welcome new members.”

The next meeting is the annual general meeting at The Fleece, Rillington, on Thursday, April 25, at 7pm.

For more information, or to hire Rillington Village Hall, phone 01653 917820.