WORK on modernising Warmingham Village Hall is expected to get underway next month.

The community are set to get new sports equipment and a full-range kitchen thanks to a £50,000 grant from funding body WREN.

Earlier this year the Village Hall Committee were successful in their bid for a £550,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, in addition to more than £40,000 that has been raised by fundraising activity.

The money will be used to turn the building, which has stood since the 50s, into modern multi-purpose facility.

Adrian Crank, project co-ordinator, said: “I suspect it is going to be next month before we make a start.

“The old hall will be dismantled to make way for a brand new facility that’s going to be enjoyed for many decade to come.

“After all this time, all of the effort – and there’s been a lot of effort gone into this across the board – we’re just really looking forward to getting this underway.”

The latest grant, awarded by WREN’s FCC Community Action Fund, will be used to install a fully-equipped kitchen that will cater for up to 100 people.

The funds will also help pay for a full-size badminton court as well as short-mat bowling and table-tennis.

Mike Sant, chairman of the Village Hall Committee, said the new hall will make a huge difference to residents.

He said: “The new hall will provide a modern, well-equipped hall which is twenty-percent larger than the existing facility and provide much better facilities than currently available.

“Everyone in the community is overjoyed with the award from WREN and, after three years of hard work and fund-raising activities, are excited about the new hall finally getting under way.”

WREN is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, biodiversity and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Richard Smith, Grant Manager for WREN, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the new Village Hall at Warmingham and pleased our funding will make such a difference to so many groups of people in Warmingham and the surrounding villages.”

“WREN is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that benefit local communities and we’re looking forward to this one having a positive impact very soon.”