A VILLAGE hall has been awarded more than £164,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to help benefit the local community.

Huttons Ambo Village Hall has received £164,400 for refurbishment works that will enable residents to reintroduce and increase social and keep-fit activities.

Members of the village hall committee have been fundraising to improve facilities in the hall which is regularly used by a number of groups, including the art club, the monthly village social The Meeting Point, quarterly quizzes and more.

Liz Ellis, a member of the committee, said the funding would be used to refurbish the well-used but no loner fit for purpose village hall to address issues of isolation and increase activities for younger people.

“Through this project we are also aiming to reintroduce activities such as yoga and keep-fit and plant to run art and craft classes, dance and pilates.

“A Musical Memories group will be run for older people and digital accessibility courses will also be introduced.

“The village is thrilled and excited to have been awarded this funding from The Big Lottery. This will enable us to refurbish our much-loved village hall - giving it a new lease of life and keeping its place as the ‘hub’ of our community activity.”

The funding award was one of 88 across Yorkshire and Humber made through the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All and Reaching Communities programmes. Awards for All provides grants between £300 and £10,000 to voluntary and community organisations and Reaching Communities awards larger grants of £10,000 and above.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund England grant making director, said: “So many local organisations are enabling people to improve their communities, bringing positive changes to their lives and futures. It’s wonderful to hear how these great projects have helped people overcome barriers, learn new skills and improve their lives.”