Kentish Express Ashford & District
First stage of hall revamp to get under way
A long-held dream to revive a village hall is a step closer as work is set to begin on a new roof.
Tenterden town councillor Ken Mulholland has championed a £400,000 project to give St Michael’s village hall a new lease of life.
The improved building in Grange Road will be extended at the front and back with offices, toilets, changing rooms, a modern kitchen and a mezzanine floor.
In the first stage of the refurbishment which is due to begin in August, Tenterden-based Andy Gill Building Services will remove the asbestos roof and replace it with modern tiles in a £100k project.
Cllr Mulholland, who is chairman of the hall management committee, said that a combination of fundraising efforts by the committee, plus grants received from Ashford Borough Council (ABC) and Kent County Council (KCC), together with a low cost loan from Tenterden Town Council (TTC), had helped to begin the hall’s transformation.
The hall is a registered charity dating back to 1967, which is held in trust for the people of St Michael’s, and Cllr Mulholland said: “We feel very pleased and excited with what has been achieved and hope that after the work is finished it can be used by different groups at the same time.”
Cllr Mulholland has received help from nearby business Mid Kent Windows in Swain Road, St Michael’s with boss Kevin Wells handing over a £1,000 cheque towards the cost of the project.
Kevin said: “The village hall is an important asset to St Michael’s. My children have happy memories of enjoying various activities over the years. It’s important that the hall is able to accommodate the needs of a new generation of users.”
Cllr Mulholland added: “The trustees are extremely grateful for this most generous donation from Kevin. His philanthrophic gesture was totally unexpected and is a shining example of community spirit.”
Businesses willing to donate or support the project are asked to contact Cllr Mulholland on 07568 063309 or email kenwmul@aol.com