THE refurbishment work on the Ockment Centre hall’s roof has been completed.

Back in February the Ockment Centre received the news that it had successfully secured a grant for its Hall Refurbishment Project from the Pennon Environmental Fund through Viridor Credits Environmental Company.

The centre received £19,800 with some community fundraising to replace the old tin roof on the detached community centre hall with insulated cladding and replace four windows and the double doors with double glazed units.

The work got underway immediately and was completed by Jeffrey and Pengelly Building Contractors and Okehampton Glass by the beginning of May.

Jenny Hopkins of the Ockment Centre team said: ‘The Ockment Team would like to thank both the contractors for the great job they did and also West Devon Borough Council Building Control for its assistance with this project.

‘We are now pleased to announce that all the community activities and local family events taking place in the hall can enjoy a warmer and more comfortable space. The extra insulation and warmth means that the hall will be suitable for a wider range of uses in the future. The Ockment Centre trustees and staff team would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the Pennon Environmental Fund and Viridor Credits for seeing the potential benefit it will have for our community and making it happen.

‘This achievement reflects an enormous amount of help and support from local people, groups and organisations through writing letters of support and coming to our fundraising events. The Ockment Team would like to say thank you to everyone who helped us to get this funding and to all the regular hall users who have been so flexible and supportive while the work was taking place.’

The hall is open again for business as usual while the Ockment Team are busy applying for further funding to replace the heating system and completely redecorate the hall, in order to finish the refurbishment.

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 find out more go to www.ockment centre.org or ring 01837 53276.