A FUND-RAISING goal of £100,000 would mark the centenary of a village hall in the best possible fashion.

Committee members of Slaley Commemoration Hall have launched the campaign ‘£100k for 100 years’ asking for the community to help them achieve their aim of improving the state of the building ahead of the hall’s 100th anniversary in 2022.

In the past few years, villagers have already shown their strong sense of community spirit through clubbing together to save the local pub and shop from closure. And it is now hoped that sense of community will again shine through to benefit future generations.

Committee chairman Rosaleen Doonan said: “The hall will be 100 years old in 2022 and, although it is a lovely hall, it needs updating, especially the toilets and access around the back.

“A lot of village halls look to the same funding pot so we need to be community-led and that is why we are appealing to everybody to come and support the hall.”

Committee member Helen Savage added: “The hall is incredibly well-used but we want more people to use it. The last upgrade was in the 1980s, but this would make sure the hall would be fit for purpose for the next 50 years.”

To kick-start the fund-raising campaign, an open weekend packed of various activities will be held at the hall on January 19 and 20. The schedule for the open weekend can be found at www.slaley.org.uk.

A funding page at www.gofundme.com/Slaley VillageHall has also been created.