CLAPHAM-CUM-NEWBY Village Hall will re-open early next month, following the completion of a major improvement scheme.

It has taken a lot of fundraising and hard work over a period of 10 years for the scheme to come to fruition.

The hall will have a new kitchen in a purpose-built extension and fully refurbished toilets including new facilities for the disabled.

It will also have a new heating system, better access for the disabled and much-needed space to act as storage for the many local clubs and societies which use the hall on a regular basis.

A spokesman for the village hall committee said: "Refurbishment of our village hall is a major event in the life of our local community. It would not have been possible without donations and tireless fundraising by local people over a number of years, and generous financial support from a number of outside agencies."

These have included the European Community Development Fund, The Countryside Agency, North Yorkshire County Council, The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Craven District Council, Clapham-cum-Newby Parish Council, The Harold and Alice Bridges Trust, Settle Rotary Club, The Dales Leader II programme and The North Yorkshire Small Project Fund.

To celebrate the occasion and to give everyone a chance to see for themselves what has been done, the village hall will be open to all from 7.30pm until about 9pm on Tuesday February 8.

Bill Mitchell has promised to give a short talk at the events and show slides of Clapham and the village hall from years gone by. Light refreshments will also be provided.

The opening evening is just the first of a whole programme of new events centred on the village hall.

On Friday February 11 and reviving an old tradition in the village, there will be a Valentine's Dance for all ages, with a disco playing a variety of music from the 1960s and 1970s to hits of today.

There will be a licensed bar, and tickets (just £3.50, which includes a light supper) are already available from Clapham Village Stores, members of the village hall committee, or at the door.

Then on Saturday February 26, there will be a chance to try ice skating. Sheets of material will be laid in the village hall, giving a surface very like that at an ice rink.

Tickets will be available throughout February or at the door, offering an hour's skating for £1.50 between 10am and 3pm. For those who do not have their own ice skates, these can be hired at the hall for just £1 per pair.

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