PARISHIONERS in Pontypool are celebrating as work begins on a £600,000 project on their church hall.

Members of St Hilda’s Church Hall committee watched as the first of the works to the hall began on August 9, when the keys were officially handed over to the contractors, A P Waters Building Contractors.

The Rev Anne Golledge, vicar of St Hilda’s Church, said: “It took committee members months and months to clear the hall of books and other items ready for this day and now it’s just a wonderful feeling to see the work starting.”

Funding of £329,131 came from a National Lottery People and Places Grant, and £300,000 came from a Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP) grant, which is operated by the Welsh Assembly Government to help community and voluntary organisations.

Work to be carried out on the hall on Kemys Street includes the creation of meeting rooms, off-street parking, new toilet facilities, a new entrance, a lift to the first floor and installation of a kitchen.

There will also be internal renovations such as painting the inside of the hall.

The hall is used by a number of groups, from dance to exercise classes and theatre groups, and functions and the committee hope the improvements will attract more users.

The planned date for the completion of the project is May 2013. Groups who usually meet at the hall are nowusing facilities at St Oswald Church in Pontypool temporarily.

For more information about the hall, or hosting a club or function there once the works are complete, call Ann Martin on 01495 763842.