A POPULAR village hall with over 100 years of history has been brought up to date and it's hoped even more people will use the facilities moving forward.
Great Houghton Miners’ Welfare Hall has benefited from a new roof, upgraded kitchen facilities and LED lighting throughout under the council’s Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme.
The works also included improving wheelchair access, adding an office extension, redecorating the hall and protecting a cellar used for storage from damp.
A council spokesperson said: “This is all part of our work to enhance and modernise facilities at village halls and community venues across Barnsley.
“Sustainability is at the heart of this programme, and the works at Great Houghton will help save on energy costs. This will help in turn to keep rental fees down for people hiring the venue.”
Cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, Coun Robin Franklin, said: “The miners’ welfare hall has been a popular venue since it opened back in 1923. We are pleased to be able to safeguard its future for generations to come.
“We want to ensure our communities are thriving and connected, and I’m sure everyone in Great Houghton will welcome the outcome of these works.
“The hall hosts a range of activities such as keep fit, sequence dancing, bingo and a youth club, and I hope that these improvements will attract even more people to use it.”
The Mayor of Barnsley, Coun John Clarke, performed the official reopening of the welfare hall, which is managed by Great Houghton Parish Council.
Coun Dorothy Coates, chair of Great Houghton Parish Council, said: “The works we’ve had to the Welfare Hall are brilliant. The new roof, insulation, LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances will help us to keep costs down and ensure people can keep coming through our doors.
“We are grateful to the council for funding this transformation through the Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme. The welfare hall has been standing for over 100 years, and this will set us up for the next 100.”
More than £5 million has already been invested into the borough’s six Principal Towns and ten Local Village Centres, with further investment ongoing to help them thrive.
