Halls receive grants from Big Lottery Fund

They have been awarded large grants totalling over £55,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Energy Efficient Venues programme to carry out a range of improvements to their hall so they can cut down on their heating and energy costs.

Ballynabraggett LOL 14, located on the Ballynabraggett Road near Donaghcloney, has been awarded a grant of £25,470 to carry out a range of improvement to make their hall more energy efficient including replacing the central heating system, insulating the ceiling, floor and walls, and replacing the external doors and the existing light fittings.

An organisation spokesperson explained that the money the groups saves by making the improvements will go back into the upkeep of the hall and running the activities and events they offer the local community.

“Our hall is based in the small rural townland of Ballynabraggett, a farming community near Donaghcloney,” he explained. “Apart from the local church, this is the only community venue in the area and it’s used by local people for a range of events and activities.

“We hold regular meetings, music celebrations and birthday parties in the hall and there’s also music practice run there as summer approaches, while we also hold an annual vintage vehicle evening which is very popular with many people in the area.

“Our hall is well looked after, but it dates all the way back to 1905 and age has take its toll. The walls are a bit damp and it takes a while to heat up, the same as any hall of this age.

“The improvements will mean the hall will be a lot warmer and more comfortable for local people who use it and it will be a lot more cost effective. We will be able to reduce our heating and electricity costs, and the money we save will go back into the range of services we offer local people.”

He continued: “We are also going to ask local people what new activities they would like us to run in the future, so we might be running things like history talks and dancing. This means a lot to the community and we are so grateful for the funding. It will make a huge difference.”