Froxfield Village Hall gets access and parking improvements thanks to EHDC's supporting communities fund.
The car park and access at Froxfield Village Hall has been given a make-over thanks to a grant from East Hampshire District Council.
Two new accessible parking bays, a footpath and a new access ramp will make the hall safer and easier to use.
The works were completed thanks to a £20,000 grant from our Supporting Communities Fund, which was match-funded by proceeds raised by the Trustees of Froxfield Village Hall.
A safety kerb has also been included to provide a visible end to the parking space and protect pedestrians on the path, while a planter bed has been added between the parking and the path.
Robert Shepherd, Chair of Trustees of Froxfield Village Hall, said: "This building is used by a wide cross-section of the community, from the local school and pre-school, cricket club and choir, to children’s parties, the Parochial Church Council and the parish council.
"So, it is fantastic that we have been able to make the entry to this busy building more accessible, safer and more visually appealing.
"I would like to thank East Hampshire District Council for recognising the importance of this building to our community and for supporting our ongoing efforts to make it the best it can be.
"This hall is a registered charity and currently in a loss-making position, but with the continued support of EHDC and our active Trustees, striving to drive improvements, awareness and utilisation, we hope to continue to serve the community even better in the future."
Cllr Nick Drew, EHDC’s member for Froxfield, said: "This grant was originally issued back in 2020, so it is really great to be able to come and visit the finished scheme.
"The village hall is the hub of the local community and these improvements will benefit everyone that uses it.
"Keeping community assets available after the economic pressures of Covid makes this grant so important, as it not only helps the environment but keeps the focus of our community open and available. Thank you EHDC."
This is the second phase of works EHDC has helped to fund at the hall, following earlier repairs to the roof and windows.
A Councillor Grant from Cllr Drew helped refurbish the hall's timber floor while funding from EHDC's Community Climate Action Fund has allowed low energy light fittings to be installed throughout the hall.
Cllr Adeel Shah, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Community and Engagement, said: "Our voluntary groups and charities do so much vital work in our communities and help make East Hampshire an amazing place to live.
"We want to help local groups however we can and the Supporting Community Fund is a great way of doing that. It’s so wonderful to see the real benefits these grants have delivered in Froxfield."
Find out more about EHDC grants
Supporting Communities Fund
The Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) is now in its second round of funding. The first three years of SCF saw groups across the district benefit from this important grant fund, such as Froxfield Village Hall. The second round of SCF is now in its second year.
The 2023 SCF has awarded over £300,000 to 19 projects across the district supporting projects from community festivals, to counselling services and improvements to sports facilities.
For details of the projects SCF has supported in 2023 and previous years please visit our website