A VILLAGE hall near Bicester has been given a makeover thanks to community grants.

The roof of Ambrosden Village Hall has been insulated, the tiles replaced and an old bell tower and chimney removed, thanks to a £50,000 grant from Viridor Credits Environmental Company, through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Work to sound proof the building, in Merton Road, repoint the mortar, and install wooden flooring also took place.

The project to safeguard the future of the hall, which was built in 1876, and reduce on-going running costs went slightly over budget, but the parish council paid the balance.

Villagers themselves had raised cash to pay to replace the boiler and heating system.

Village hall management committee chairwoman Sharon Howard said: “Together with money raised in the village and help from the parish council, the funding from Viridor Credits made it possible to repair the fabric of the building, improve its energy efficiency and give the internal space a facelift. A specialist building contractor, experienced in working on historical buildings, undertook the work on behalf of the village hall committee.

“We would like to thank all parties who contributed and made this project a success.”

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