The Newbridge Community Association is celebrating after securing nearly £17,000 in National Lottery funding to replace the roof of the village Community Centre.
The funding has already been used to complete essential roofing work aimed at protecting the future of the historic building, which serves residents, local groups and organisations in the West Wight village.
Originally built as the village school, the building later became the ‘Newbridge Working Men’s Club’ in 1908 before evolving into today’s Newbridge Community Centre, which is managed by the Community Association and elected trustees.
The venue hosts quizzes, bingo, coffee mornings and licensed bar events, alongside billiards, snooker, darts, music groups and dance classes. It is also used for community meetings, as a polling station and for private hire events.
Trevor Whillier, Chairman, has said:
“We’re delighted that The National Lottery has recognised our work in this way.
“This funding will help this valuable village facility remain in a good state of repair in support of community activities for many years to come.
“Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to continue to support the varied and ever changing needs of the local community for the foreseeable future as it has done for the past 100 years.”
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Trustee and committee member Helena Hewston has said:
“Community Centre’s are valuable to health and wellbeing and having a suitable and welcoming venue helps to achieve that.
“This building has much to offer in its facilities and it is good to know that the authorities have supported the village hall committee in their endeavours to keep it and make it a place for all.”
Last year, The National Lottery Community Fund awarded more than £686million to over 13,700 projects across the UK.
