VILLAGERS have been celebrating after their beloved community hub underwent a makeover.

Members of the dedicated North Cerney Memorial Hall team were recently awarded money for community cohesion under Gloucestershire County Council's Build Back Better grant scheme to refresh the space.

This historic venue has been a prominent fixture in the village for more than a century and the grant funding has gone towards brand-new equipment and renovations.

Delighted villagers hope that these improvements will encourage more people to use the community space.

Paul Hodgkinson, county councillor for Bourton and Northleach, played a pivotal role in backing the bid which was put forward to GCC by the village hall team.

Cllr Hodgkinson: "The hall brings people together and the team who run it told me that they needed new equipment to make it more attractive and viable.

"They also wanted to make the outside path and patio safer for people entering the building.

"I am delighted that they have been able to make the money work for them and that the number of people using the excellent space is growing.

"This is all about combating isolation and enabling people to meet up."

North Cerney Village Hall chair Kathy Rettie-Denness said: "We have a regular coffee morning on the first Tuesday of every month which are usually attended by single, elderly members of the community. 

"We can now enjoy using the new round tables and cloths which the grant bought.
 
"We also host suppers for families once a month on a Sunday evening and will be using the new kitchen during the the North Cerney Community 10k Run on Saturday, May 18.

"During the evenings the hall is used for drinks, skittles and Pilates classes, but it can also be booked for weddings and family events."