Historic village hall set to reopen after major restoration and extension project

A £200k grant from the National Lottery has enabled the work to go ahead at the building in Goadby Marwood which represents the only communal meeting place for villagers.

The project, which was also funded by other grants, local fundraising, donations and invaluable volunteer support, has carefully balanced the preservation of the hall’s architectural character with the needs of a modern community.

Improvements include a sympathetically designed extension housing a new kitchen, upgraded toilets, improved accessibility, additional storage, renewed electrical installations, better insulation and heating, a restored hall floor and new audiovisual facilities.

The project at the grade two listed hall, which was built in 1861 originally as the village school, was led by members of the Friends of Goadby Marwood Village Hall (FoGMVH).

A spokesperson said: “This project has always been about much more than restoring a building.

"It is about preserving an important part of our village’s history whilst creating a welcoming and vibrant space for future generations.

“We are enormously grateful to everyone whose generosity, enthusiasm and hard work have helped make this possible.

"Our hope is that the hall will continue to bring people together and create new memories for generations to come.”

The building operated as a school for generations of local children through to the 1940s, when it began a new life as the village hall.

It has stood at the heart of the small rural community, witnessing countless celebrations, friendships and village gatherings and it will continue now to host coffee mornings, workshops and other events.