THE Ockment Centre’s hall refurbishment project has taken a huge step forward after the centre secured a grant worth nearly £20,000.

The Pennon Environmental Fund through Viridor Credits have agreed to support the project up to the value of £19,800 with the rest made up from community fundraising. This money will be used to replace the old tin roof on the hall at the end of the garden with insulated cladding and replace four windows and the double doors with double glazed units. The work is taking place so that all the community activities and local family events can enjoy a warmer and more energy efficient hall that will be suitable for a wider range of uses in the future.

Jenny Hopkins of the Ockment Centre team said: ‘We started raising money for the project two years ago as the hall windows were rotting and with an old tin roof and a noisy and inefficient heating system, it is very hard to get it warm enough for groups in the winter.

‘By holding community events such as table top sales, coffee mornings, cream teas, quiz nights, Easter and Craft Fayres over £3,500 has been raised by the local community towards new windows. We have already been able to replace four large windows last year with double glazed units due to fundraising and a small grant from the Bernard Sunley Foundation – now we are inposition to complete this first stage of the refurbishment.

‘Huge thanks go out to everyone who has supported the centre by attending our fundraising events, or writing letters of support for our bid. We are thrilled that the Pennon Environmental Fund and Viridor Credits could see what a positive impact a new hall roof and windows will have on the centre and the community who use it and we would like to thank them for choosing to support the biggest part of this project.’

The Ockment trustees and staff team are keen to get the work underway. Okehampton Glass and builders Jeffery and Pengelly are lined up to complete as much of the work as possible in the Easter school holidays. Any groups that currently run in the hall will be found an alternative room in the centre while the work takes place.

To complete the hall refurbishment, the Ockment Centre will be applying for further funding to replace the heating system and to completely redecorate the hall. In the meantime the main building of the centre will be unaffected by the work, so its rooms will still be available for hire as normal for community events, family events and meetings.

As well as providing rooms for community and educational activities and for meetings and social events, the centre also houses the local Citizen’s Advice Bureau and RISE Recovery drug and alcohol services and runs a weekly work club, helping people find employment. A Friday Hub multi-agency information and advice drop in session is open to everybody from 10am to 1pm.

To check out what’s currently on offer at the centre, including an Easter fayre on Saturday, March 19 go to the website www. ockmentcentre.org or pop in to the reception.