DESPITE popular demand for Torridge District Council’s ‘New Homes Bonus Community Grants Scheme,’ Ashwater Parish Hall was able to secure the funding it needed for its extension project.

The parish hall received £25,000 from the grant scheme and at 10.30am on Friday, Janaury 26, a formal presentation of a plaque, which is to be displayed within the extension, was held during a coffee morning.

The grant scheme was so popular it exceeded the financial demand, meaning Torridge District Council has had to close it off to new applications until April.

However, Ashwater was among the diverse range of community projects to benefit from the grant funding.

Speaking about the funding, secretary of Ashwater Parish Hall Ivan Buxton said: “Our hall has proved to be a great asset to Ashwater since opening in December 2009 and due to use exceeding all expectations it is now time to add a multipurpose room that will enable more user groups to operate simultaneously for community benefit.

“We are exceedingly grateful to the district council for their very generous support and appreciate the backing of our ward councillor, Zyg Gregorek, who sponsored the grant application.”