A MUCH-loved village hall is the latest to benefit from a community grants scheme in the Ryedale area of North Yorkshire.

The hall at Thornton-le-Dale is one of the village’s best used buildings and had been awarded £5,000 for improvements, which include new doors.

“It is the real heart of the community, “ said village hall secretary Nancy Firth.

“So many people use it for a variety of clubs and groups and we are delighted to receive this grant from Ryedale District Council for vital improvements.”

The district council’s £50,000 community grant scheme is open to any community-based organisation or group, for projects that make a positive impact on the community owned or managed facilities and activities in Ryedale.

They include village halls, play areas, sports facilities, village owned shops and activities that support the local community.

The projects considered by the fund can be varied and diverse but must be able to show that they make a positive contribution to at least one of the council’s stated priorities, such as supporting conditions for economic success and maintaining the quality of the local environment.

The chairman of the grants working party, Cllr Steve Arnold, said: “Village halls like the one in Thornton-le-Dale are vital to local people and play a key role in encouraging communities to both live, work and play together.”