Village hall's revamp costs just £90

A village hall in Staffordshire has been given a facelift for less than £100.

The owners of Brereton and Ravenhill Parish Hall, on Main Road, Brereton, say they have been watching the pennies during their redecoration work.

Brereton and Ravenhill Parish Council managed to get the entire hall painted thanks to voluntary help from members and residents for just £90. Councillor Ray Easton said: "We have a very good team of parish councillors and people who are willing to do what needs to be done."

He added: "We want to build on what is already at the hall so it is a facility that anyone can use and want to use it.

"We have a group of volunteers who work for nothing and I do most of the electrician work myself, which helps keep the costs down."

Over the past four years, since the parish council took over control of the hall, they have managed to cut the budget by two thirds.

Councillor Easton said: "The first year we took it over there was nothing to use in the hall.

"There was nothing to go there for, there was just a bare hall. In four years, we have taken the situation by the scruff of the neck and put facilities in there for people to use.

"We have had computers put in, a bar put in and stage-lighting put in for the drama groups."

He added over the past couple of years the number of groups using the hall has widened to include martial arts and play groups.

Last year it was also host for BBC Radio Four's Question Time with Jonathan Dimbleby.

There are still a few tickets left on sale for the next live music event at the hall.

An Oompah Night with music from The Bier Keller band is taking place at the hall on April 18.

Councillor Easton added: "We had an Oompah Night last year and it was a brilliant night.

"The nights being organised throughout the year by the parish council seem to be selling out nearly every time. We are trying to put on quality nights where people pay only a very small fee for an excellent night and that makes the difference."

Call 01889 582478 for more information about tickets for the events.