SANTA Claus has helped spruce up a much-loved North East village hall for Christmas.
Darlington Round Table generates funds for the local community through its annual Santa’s Sleigh Tour that has enchanted families for more than 40 years.
And £1,000 of Santa’s money was used to help renovate the Middleton St George Women’s Institute (WI) Hall, which is used by groups throughout the community.
Alex Taylor-Garthwaite, chairman of Darlington Round Table, said: “We are thrilled to be able to us some of the funds from the Santa tour to help renovate the hall, which is an important resource for the village.
“Supporting local causes and groups is a vital part of our mission, and we’re always on the lookout for ways to get involved in the community.
“All the money we give back to community is raised by our annual Santa’s Sleigh that tours Darlington and the surrounding area. Santa and his helpers always get a very warm welcome in Middleton St George, so our members jumped at the chance to give something back to the village.”
In response, Middleton St George WI invited Round Table members to the hall to see how the donation would help, learn more about the modern WI, and enjoy a round of Beetle Drive – a dice game traditionally played at WI meetings.
Angela Tovey, president of Middleton St George WI, said: “It was really lovely to host members of Darlington Round Table, and to receive such a wonderful donation.
“It means a huge amount to the Women’s Institute of Middleton St George. It has enabled us to have our wonderful 110-year-old building weatherproofed and painted, which was well overdue.
“The hall now looks very smart and very presentable, and we are very proud to have it in the village.”
As well as hosting regular WI meetings, the hall provides a venue for defibrillator and CPR training, art exhibitions, talks, meetings for other local groups, and more.
The WI now plans to turn its attention to the inside of the hall, using proceeds raised during the summer to modernise the interior.
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