Villagers have launched a campaign to save a longstanding hall that underwent a costly renovation to remain at the heart of the community.

Members of the Birdsedge Village Hall committee, which became a village trust in 1969, were left in the dark about its future when funding for its popular annual festival ran out at the end of last year.

They feared that the hall may again face closure, only four years since it was last placed at risk due to its lack of disabled facilities.

Together they have been working to raise as much money as possible to put on the major village event, which has been scheduled to take place on July 12 and includes a family fun day, bands and real ale festival.

Already £3,200 has been donated to the cause, which will help ensure that the event can continue to run in the future, but hall secretary, Roz Dilly, said that they would like as much as possible to ensure their raft of regular events and private hire of the hall can continue.

Birdsedge Village Hall
Birdsedge Village Hall

Roz said: “In 2009 we were faced with undertaking a major renovation or face closing due to inadequate disabled facilities but through a grant from the Big Lottery Fund and various other grants and private donations we successfully rebuilt the new hall.

“It then ran successfully for four years but then we found ourselves in the unusual position of not having enough funding available to cover the prepaid costs of our annual festival.

“We faced the possibility of the hall closing and the village losing a vital community building so in March we launched an appeal to the local community to help.

“The local people have already pulled together by attending events and fundraising which has helped us into a positive financial position but we need to maintain the momentum to ensure we don’t end up back in the same situation.”

The fundraisers already completed include a sponsored walk which raised £1800 and a charity day at RAF Linton on Ouse which was organised by Mike Davies and raised £900 from its three attendees.

Mike said: “We would like to thank the station commander of RAF Linton on Ouse and staff for their generous offer of the visit to the station to help our fund raising cause.”

Local businesses can advertise in our festival programme in support of the hall, meanwhile, members of the community can make donations or hire the hall for their own events.

To make a donation, booking or organise a fundraiser call Roz on 01484 604289.