RESIDENTS of a former pit village today (Wednesday, September 9) celebrated the formal takeover of a community hall.

Gordon Elliott, head of partnerships at Durham County Council, presided over the formal asset transfer of Wheatley House in Woodland Avenue, Wheatley Hill.

The facility was threatened with closure in 2011 when the county council, facing budget cuts of £125m, embarked upon a major review of its 120 community centres, village halls and communal halls.

Kathleen Foster, honorary secretary of Wheatley House Moving Forward said: “Our thanks go to all who helped us to refurbish the building and to get to where we are today.

“We are delighted. It a very important facility used by everyone in the village. It is a place where people can come and feel safe and secure. It is a focal point and when heard it could be closed we were determined that it should stay open.”

A group of volunteers, with the backing of ward Cllr Morris Nicholls, formed a steering group. They went on to form a management committee, working with county council officials and East Durham Homes to draw up a business plan.

Miss Foster said: “We realised the building had to be brought up to standard.

“We became a charitable incorporated trust with a registered charity number, which helped us when we applied for funding.”

Cllr Nicholls donated £10,000 from his neighbourhood budget and REG Windpower High Haswell Community Benefits Fund contributed £5,000, while the county council provided a £1,617 grant.

Extensive refurbishment was carried out on the building.

Miss Foster said: “We have lowered the ceiling in the hall and lobby and had LED lights installed, which will help save energy.

“We have also completely refurbished the kitchen and put in a new ceiling, renewed all the windows and back and front doors and put in new carpets.”

East Durham Homes and Durham County Council will have drop-in points at Wheatley House.

The hall is also used by the Royal British Legion and Women’s Section. A bingo club meets on Tuesday and Friday evenings, while a disabled club meets fortnightly on Thursdays.

The Wheatley House will hold an open day from 10am to noon on Wednesday September 23, with members of the community are invited to see the facilities and to come forward with other proposed used for the facilities.