BOOKINGS at Kettlewell Village Hall are expected to soar after its toilets received a major makeover.

Supporters, including members of the village hall committee, recently gathered at the hall in the heart of the village to celebrate its completion.

Money came from several sources including a £10,000 grant from the Yorkshire Dales National Park's sustainable development fund.

Modernisation also included the installation of disabled facilities and even showers.

David Nelson, chairman of the village hall committee, said the work could not have taken place without the help of the national park and others.

And he hoped the modernisation would have lasting benefits for the community.

"Upgrading of toilets is not the most glamorous of projects to which to give funds but no village hall or public building can do without toilets and ours were way below standard," he said.

"Village halls have come a long way from the days of peeling paintwork, crooked pictures and cracked tiles, and no village on its own can keep a village hall in tip top condition without a lot of fundraising and letting it out to visitors either for parties, weddings or other events."

He added: "This has also a knock on effect within villages bringing funds to the local economy as well, through the use of the local shop, hotels and bed and breakfasts. By these means, we can have a village hall for the purpose for which it was originally intended, to provide facilities where village events can take place. and bringing the community together. "

Kettlewell was one of four projects to receive a grant out of 28 applications to the national park fund in the last financial year.

The authority's sustainable development officer Andrea Burden said: "Broadband schemes attracted a lot of support, but we fund a whole range of projects, from toilets to preserves kettles.”

Kettlewell also received financial support from:

The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation,

The Coulthurst Trust, Craven District Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Sir George Martin Trust, Kettlewell Parish Council, and North Yorkshire County Councillor locality budgets.

To fine out more about the SDF call 01969 652337, email SDF@yorkshiredales.org.uk or visit the website: yorkshiredales.org.uk/living-and-working/sdf

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