A village hall will be unrecognisable at the end of the summer as it undergoes a much-needed transformation.

Thanks to generous donations and successful fundraising efforts, Chideock Village Hall, will soon see a new kitchen installed, something it desperately needs.

After spotting an article in the Bridport & Lyme Regis News last year, treasurer of the hall Roger Carey alongside chairman Richard Benjamin applied to the Gannett Foundation UK and received a £4,000 donation to kickstart their fundraising.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, owner of Newsquest Media Group, which publishes the Dorset Echo and Bridport & Lyme Regis News.

And now, one year on, the hall is ready for its makeover.

Roger said: "We are really delighted at long last the hall kitchen will be refurbished in August.

"This time last year Richard and I realised that the kitchen desperately needed a makeover.

"So Richard designed the kitchen and all I had to do was find the money.

"We immediately upped our fundraising events but it was all kickstarted by the £4,000 donation from Gannet Foundation.

"Since then we have received smaller donations from Bridport Round Table and Chideock WI on top of many hall fund raising events. "Finally we received a substantial donation from The Chideock Trust which permitted us to order the kitchen.

"The main contractors, Allsop & Pitts, will start early August installing the kitchen with the Bridport company, Phase 3, supplying the kitchen cabinets.

"We have already started to strip out the old units and hopefully all will be completed by August 31."

Chideock Village Hall has been in the area since the 1900s and has stood the test of time. But Roger and Richard are keen to ensure it remains there for many the generations to come.

As reported, the latest round of grants from the Gannett Foundation has opened and charities in Dorset are now being urged to apply.

The Foundation supports charities with projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as neighbourhood improvements, local problem-solving, economic development, youth enterprise, sport and healthy living, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, care of the elderly, environmental conservation, and educational or cultural enrichment.

The application form is available at dorsetecho.co.uk

The completed form and supporting document should be sent via email to newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk. Applications must arrive by 5pm on Monday, October 9 2017.

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