GENEROUS Addingham villagers have raised £9,000 in less than a year to ensure a millennium dream becomes reality.

Addingham Civic Society is ecstatic after revealing its fundraising target has been smashed this week.

In January last year the society revealed plans for its millennium project - a major 'makeover' for George Street.

The then-chairman, Don Barrett, was optimistic that money would be forthcoming, but he told the Gazette the response to the appeal had been 'tremendous.'

He said the society had been overwhelmed by the generosity of so many individuals and organisations.

Mr Barrett said the society was particularly delighted to have received donations from former Addingham residents keen to support the project.

"The majority of the £9,000 has come from individual donations - some of which have been extremely generous," said Mr Barrett.

The surface of George Street is in a very poor state and the society would like to see it resurfaced with traditional Yorkshire stone.

The street is much used as it is the main route to the village post office.

At present, it is a precarious experience for pensioners, those in wheelchairs or anyone pushing a pram.

Civic Society members will meet with Clays of Addingham this week to discuss a start date for the project.

Mr Barrett said: "This momentous decision means that very soon we will al be able to get to the post office without having to look out for puddles and the pot holes and, what is more, there should be a ramp so that those in wheelchairs can get right up to the counter."

The project co-ordinator is society vice chairman Jane Scott.

"I am delighted. I think we all now want to see the project done."

She echoed Mr Barrett's sentiments and said it was all the more impressive an effort as the target had been reached without a penny from national charity sources or grants.

Mrs Scott said the total had rocketed after a fundraising 'thermometer' chart was put up in the village in January. "People certainly seemed to respond to it," she said.

At the time the chart was put in place, the total raised was just short of £6,000.

"I think this project is something the vast majority of people in the village want to see," she said.

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