A CHANCE for villagers to see the improvements made to Cheriton Bishop Village Hall is on offer at a open afternoon this Sunday.

The work to provide a disabled toilet and enlarge the hall's kitchen was carried out in record time over the summer — to ensure the work was finished by the time the playgroup returned to the hall on September 8.

In April, the hall's management committee were awarded a Community Fund grant of £22,000.

The need for disabled toilets had been demonstrated when the hall was used the previous winter for adult education courses, and wet weather had also played havoc with the surface of the

car park.

Following consultation with an architect, it became clear an extension would be needed to allow for the provision of a disabled toilet and the kitchen would need to be slightly enlarged to satisfy Health and Safety regulations.

A number of fund-raising activities in aid of the project were organised in Cheriton Bishop.

The hall is used three days a week by the playgroup and several other groups, so it was not until the summer term had finished that work could commence.

Janet Grist, chairman of the committee, said the open afternoon would give 'everyone the chance to see what has been done and also to see what goes on in the hall.'

Mrs Grist added: 'All the organisations that use the hall have been invited to attend and promote their groups. Hopefully they will attract more participants for the future.'

Mrs Grist said the village hall was owned by the community and could now be used equally by all.