A REDESDALE parish hall has been saved from potential closure.

Corsenside Parish Hall was at risk of being sold unless sufficient volunteers came forward.

But at Monday’s annual meeting a new committee was chosen.

In a meeting held earlier in the month, residents agreed it would be a shame to lose the hall but, it was resolved that if a new committee was not identified there would be no option but to begin the process of selling.

Pete Saunders, chairman of the Corsenside Parish Hall Trust Management Committee, said: “The parish hall has been a valued facility for 110 years.

“I would like to thank the current committee for their hard work.”

The hall was suffering due to a lack of investment and lack of use.

The number of events held at the hall had dwindled considerably in recent years and the running costs exceeded revenue coming in.

Despite its setbacks, members of the community thought the need to keep a parish hall was greater than its failings.

No one from the current committee wished to be re-elected and there needed to be a minimum of three people to start a new committee.

Three parishioners agreed to come forward and leaving chairman Pete Saunders said he would continue as a committee member to ensure a smooth handover.

He will stand down once the handover is complete.

New committee member Richard Verden said: “It’s a civic duty to take on the hall. I am hopeful in taking it forward.

“I express my thanks to the leaving committee from the rest of the community.”

The next committee meeting will be held at Corsenside Parish Hall on Monday, June 6 at 7.30pm where a new chairman will be decided.

The committee encourage any parishioners who wish to join to attend the meeting.