A local partnership has awarded almost £10,000 to two village halls recently.

The Three Parishes Big Local Partnership awarded the St Martins Community Centre £1,800 for ‘Securing Safe Community Spaces’.

This funding is part of a larger project that will enable the centre to replace plants in the front garden, replace bins and seating, edging around the garden and replace the temporary path around the centre.

A grant of just over £8,000 was given to Weston Rhyn Institute to go towards redecoration and maintenance of the Institute, which includes painting of the main hall, hallway and stairs and also fitting new kitchen doors.

Partnership chairman Nick Heard said: “Village halls are integral to our communities. Our most recent review shows that the community’s aspirations are still relevant with residents putting community buildings high up on their list.

"St Martins Centre and Weston Rhyn Institute are both run by volunteers and with this investment will encourage further public use and support for these valuable resources.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Three Parishes Big Local programme, is asked to contact Bridget or Paula at Qube on 01691 656882, visit the website www.big-local.org

Alternatively, you can view the 3PBigLocal Facebook page.

Three Parishes Big Local is a community–led programme based in the small communities of Weston Rhyn, St Martins and Gobowen in North Shropshire, managed by a Partnership of local volunteers. One of 150 Big Local areas in England, we are investing £1million of Big Lottery funding over a 10 year period according to priorities identified from consultation within these communities. The nature of our work within these communities allows us a good insight into issues within these communities, and areas for concern.