A VILLAGE hall which is the hub of the community has benefitted from not one but two Hambleton District Council grants.

Snape Institute Management Committee received their first grant of £4,000 last year after local people urged them to improve the 130 year old village hall – a survey had revealed that its drab appearance was putting people off using it.

“Maintaining and improving the village hall as a first class venue for village activities is the main aim of our management committee,” said chairman Sarah Lowe.

“We offer a whole host of activities for all ages aimed at bringing the community together and reducing isolation.

"Over the last couple of years we have painted the outside and installed a new heating system and last year with the help of our first council grant and the services of an interior designer we painted the inside of the hall and had new curtains made.”

However whilst preparing for the painting two areas of the ceiling were found to be leaking. They were temporarily made watertight for the winter while a permanent solution was found.

“We turned to the district council once again,” added Ms Lowe.

“And thanks to another £2,500 from this year’s Hambleton District Council ‘Making a Difference’ fund work is due to start in the next few weeks, weather permitting, to repair the roof.”