Future secured as Hesketh Bank unveils new hall

THE trustees of a community centre in Hesketh Bank are celebrating making their dreams of a new hall a reality which also coincides with the 100th anniversary of village halls in England.

Hesketh Bank Community Centre has been proudly serving the residents of Hesketh Bank, Banks, Tarleton and beyond since 1944 and in 2019 marked its 75th birthday, while campaigning for funds to redevelop the site.

With the support of The National Lottery, West Lancashire Borough Council, Hesketh with Becconsall Parish Council and many more grants, gifts and donations their new, purpose built and eco-friendly facility was recently installed on site.

Chair Steve Kirby said: “This is a momentous occasion, the culmination of years of hard work by our small team of just six volunteer trustees and represents lots of blood, sweat and tears.”

He added: “Our new hall will ensure that we continue to be a focal point for the well-being of generations to come and we look forward to welcoming people back as soon as we possibly can.”

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of village halls, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has developed a Village Halls Domesday Book 2021 as a record of the good things village halls are doing to mark a century of rural community action.

The record will help make the case for sustained funding and support for village halls which will be especially important as the country recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

Steve concluded: “We are thrilled that we can sign the Village Halls Domesday Book 2021 with our new hall and great hopes for the future.”