By Sarah Newstead

Last updated 05:39, Friday, 26 September 2008

A GROUP of dedicated volunteers have created a lasting legacy for their community by revamping their dilapidated village hall.

Warm: Grayrigg Coronation Hall, Grayrigg welcomes the Mothers’ Union

Grayrigg Coronation Hall has served the parishes of Grayrigg, Lambrigg, Docker, Whinfell and Patton for many years.

But in 2004, its management committee had to find a solution to its dilapidated state or risk losing a well-used community venue.

Committee member Val Littlewood said: “The heating system was very antiquated, we had no insulation and it was getting old and dirty.

“So we sat down and discussed what we could do. What could have been small jobs escalated into a huge project.”

Winners of last year’s Stronger Communities’ Environment Award, the committee mucked in to raise the £250,000 they needed to refurbish the hall. After four years of hard work the hall is now spick and span, complete with solar panels and green materials throughout.

Val said: “We get some of our power from sunlight. We also have underfloor heating powered by an air source pump which takes heat out of the air and works a little bit like a fridge in reverse. We also used lambswool for our insulation.”

Residents helped out with donations and rolled up their sleeves at a painting day held to decorate the main hall.

Val said: “Living in a community is something that you have to work at and we’ve got to keep community services going.”

Now the hall is used by groups including schools, churches, a parent and toddler group and the young farmers.

Val added: “We have a concert party, we’ve started a table tennis club and we have a pub night where people can stop by and socialise.

“People enjoy coming to the hall now because there’s not condensation running down the walls and it’s a nice, warm place to be.

“The community spirit is also coming back because now there’s a pleasant focal point for everyone who lives here.”

Of last year’s Cumbria Community Awards win Val said: “It was a real surprise to be nominated. It was nice that the work we had put in had been recognised.”