Cowling residents are being urged to air their views on the state of the village after only 45 out of 800 village appraisal forms were returned.

The appraisal has been organised by the parish council and its results will shape the future of the village for years to come.

Several aspects of Cowling depend on its results, including the future of the village hall.

Thousands of pounds need to be spent on bringing the hall up to new European standards, and the appraisal asks if the money should be spent or whether it would be better to build a new one.

The hall houses Cowling library and is also used by groups and organisations in the village.

But health and safety inspections have revealed a number of issues which have to be dealt with before the hall can be brought back into full use.

Work has already been carried out to bring the hall's ground floor up to today's fire safety standards and the parish council is now in the process of re-applying for a public entertainment's licence.

However, the first floor can only be used for a small number of functions unless major alterations are carried out.

The work includes upgrading the ceilings and floors to make them fire-proof and improving the fire escape routes.

Cowling village hall celebrated its centenary in 1985 and was originally built as a Liberal Club and Institute.

It included a library and reading room, assembly hall and meeting rooms.

The building was used as a reception centre for evacuees during the war and it was also home to the popular dialect plays of local playwrite Arthur Teal during the 1920s and 30s.

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