Photos show 'first glimpse' of Eight Ash Green Village Hall

The project to transform Eight Ash Green Village Hall, in Spring Lane, started on August 4 last year.

The building was demolished in late September, and the new building will have a meeting room, toilets, modern kitchen, upstairs area, and storage space in the roof.

The Gazette previously reported how £481,495 from the National Lottery’s Reaching Communities Grant had been put towards the funding for the project which also included the hall’s self-raised £120,000 and developer S106 funding of £190,000.

The project has been led by the hall’s group of four trustees - Dean Nokes, Alan Bilby, Pamela Savill, Judy Alden - and a dedicated team of volunteers.

Delighted - (left to right) Trustees Dean Nokes, Alan Bilby, Richard Morgan, Tina Morgan , Judy (Image: Dean Nokes)

Exciting - Eight Ash Green Village Hall (Image: Eight Ash Green Village Hall)

The new building is coming along well, Mr Nokes spoke to the Gazette and said: “Work on the hall has progressed really well over the last few months.

“With the scaffold now removed residents are getting their first glimpse of the new village hall and the feedback has been positive.

“There is still plenty of work taking place inside fitting the rooms out, but we are on schedule for our Spring opening.

“The hall trustees are looking forward to showing everyone around when completed.”

New images show how a large spacious environment has been created within the hall as works continue.

Eight Ash Green Village Hall - another look (Image: Eight Ash Green Village Hall)

Inside - The new Eight Ash Green Village Hall (Image:  Eight Ash Green Village Hall)

Before the old building was fully demolished - Eight Ash Green Village Hall (Image: Eight Ash Green Village Hall)

The former hall was used a shelter in the Second World War, and it was used for children’s dance classes, singing groups, yoga groups, social groups, and for parish council meetings.

It had lived a “very long and worn life” and was full of “wear and tear”, Mr Nokes previously said.

The new, modernised village hall will be “fully accessible” with a lift added, have secure cycle storage, and it will use solar power and harvest rainwater to make an “eco-friendly, low cost to run building”.

It is hoped to open within the next few months.

A ‘buy-a-brick campaign’ where your name will be written on a brick will be used in the creation of the new hall is still running until the end of February.

To find out more, visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089199769831.