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Neroche Hall wins National Lottery Grant

Trustees of Neroche Hall are celebrating after being awarded National Lottery funding.

After a successful grant application, the National Lottery Community Fund has awarded almost £14,000, enabling the volunteer committee to invest in new audio visual equipment and work to improve the acoustics in the hall - with the aim of bringing back popular film nights to community.

The hall is well-used by the community for regular social events such as community lunches, quiz nights, drop-in breakfasts and bingo, and the committee generates income with a wide range of hires, including a church group, weddings and parties, and badminton and pickleball sessions as well as providing a meeting space for local committees and organisations.

Karen Learoyd, chair of Neroche Hall committee, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have received this grant. It has enabled us to improve our facilities and contribute towards the future sustainability of our lovely hall.

“It’s really important that we have somewhere in the parish for people to meet, hold private events and to bring us together socially, and we work hard to provide that.

“Village film nights were a popular regular event before the Covid pandemic, but when we looked to reinstate them, it became clear that we needed to invest in modern screen, projector and speakers to make it viable. This money from the National Lottery has enabled us to do just that.”

The Lottery grant has also funded panels to improve acoustics in the hall which will hopefully have a positive impact for those visitors with impaired hearing. 

Karen said: “Having modern audio visual equipment and better acoustic management will increase the variety of events we can host, as well as the village film nights. We’re already seeing more businesses using our venue for corporate meetings and training events and we’re hoping to encourage more art, entertainment and educational experiences to enrich the lives of our community and boost funds to ensure the hall's future.”

The hall is located in Bickenhall and serves the surrounding villages of Staple Fitzpaine, Curland, Orchard Portman and Thurlbear

Photo caption: Neroche Hall trustees with the grant cheque from the National Lottery Community Fund