VILLAGERS in Hutton Rudby are being urged to rally round an ambitious scheme for a new community hall.

Plans for the £500,000 hall are now off the starting block, and it is hoped to have the building up and running by the second half of 2002.

The present building, dating from the 1920s, has major structural problems and has been shored up for the past year.

A meeting to discuss its future was held and a questionnaire then issued to every house in the area, seeking information about how people use the building at present and ideas for future use.

Since then, the village hall management committee and its new project team have been exploring possibilities. Nearly 150 questionnaires were received back from about 900 homes.

Use by Hutton Rudby dramatic society and other productions and concerts topped the list, followed by societies or committees for regular meetings, the weekly brownie, guides and toddlers' groups and indoor sports. Suggestions for the future included aerobics, keep fit, painting classes, IT tuition and a youth club.

The survey showed that people wanted the new building to incorporate good access, heating and adequate furniture. The point was also made that it should be complementary to, and not competitive with, other Hutton Rudby halls and buildings used for meetings and groups, social and other events.

The building would have a main hall suitable for badminton and theatrical performances with seating for 250, plus two other function rooms, a large kitchen and storage areas.

The project team consists of Simon Bateson, Ronnie Baird, John Kay, Nick Roberts, Sarah Robinson and John Autherson as project manager.

Mr Autherson said it was hoped funding would come from the lottery, but this was not likely to provide more than 70pc of the total cost.

"To achieve a significant grant we have to show that a new building will be well-used," he said.

Mr Autherson said substantial fundraising would be needed in the area. A team to plan events had been formed, headed by Mr Richard Hodgson.

Its first project is a buy-a-brick scheme.

"We hope people will support these events and any other offers of help and ideas would be welcome," said Mr Autherson.

The parish council and village hall trustees have made funds available for a feasibility study. Architects are being approached and a further open meeting will he held before any design is accepted.

Mr Autherson said the existing hall would be demolished to make way for its successor. It is expected the building will close after the pantomime in January 2002 and that the new one will be open in the autumn of that year.

"But this will depend on the lottery grant and local fundraising, as well as planning approval," he said.

A business plan for the lottery is being prepared to demonstrate the ongoing viability of the hall. "The village is optimistic about the scheme," said Mr Autherson, "and I am sure people will rally round to bring the plan to fruition.