DAB has started work on constructing a new village hall in Grundisburgh, near Woodbridge in Suffolk.
Villagers have worked hard to raise £100,000 for a new hall, which replaces the previous 100-year-old building. Further grants of £250,000, including from the National Lottery, also contributed.
Bryan Laxton, chair of the village hall charity said: “Over the last 24 months there has been a huge ground swell of active support from the local community who have helped in so many ways to make the new village hall a reality.
“It is fabulous that after 30 years in the planning, we can now start to bring this to life and ensure everyone in our community, from all walks of life and those that need more support or are vulnerable will be able to access this brand new facility.”
Following a competitive tender process, local building contractor and housebuilder, DAB was chosen to partner the charity and have been awarded the contracts both to build the new hall and redevelop the existing hall site.
David Bates, founder of DAB, has confirmed that work will start on the existing hall site to build two homes only after the new village hall is open.
He said: “It’s brilliant to be working together with the Grundisburgh village hall charity. The new hall is going to look fantastic and very much in keeping with the village and will provide a great space for the local community to enjoy. We are looking forward to getting started on the project.”
Groundworks were due to start this week, with the hall completed by the end of 2021.
The main build project is fully financed, but fundraising will continue for some internal fit-out equipment in the kitchen and items such as tables and chairs. Locals can watch the construction progress on the village hall website and the hall’s own Facebook and Instagram pages.