Audlem's Big Lottery success

Audlem Public Hall are pleased to announce that the APHAx (Audlem Public Hall Annexe) committee have been successful in being awarded a Grant of over £600,000 from The Big Lottery Fund towards the cost of building an Annexe to the existing Hall.

It is planned that construction work will start in August 2016 with completion in May 2017.

The chairman of APHAx, Roland Hall, says: "The  total cost of the project is £707,800, the difference being £100,000 of which £87,000 has so far been raised by the APHAx team with support from Audlem Public Hall reserves; Homes and Community Association (HCA); Audlem, Buerton and Hankelow Parish Councils; Audlem and District Community Association (ADCA); Williams Family Foundation; Audlem Special Events Team (ASET); Audlem and District Amenities Society (ADAS); Nantwich Round Table; Audlem Bowls Club; Bridge Club; and the former Audlem Tree House and not forgetting the £2,800 raised by the dinner/dance in March this year.

"I am grateful to all the effort by the APHAx team which has meant intensive work by all, in particular in completing the complex application forms and discussions with the The Big Lottery which has been largely the responsibility of Frank Gillies and John Tilling who have done a remarkable job.

"We should also acknowledge the vital contribution from our appointed architect, Martin Greenwood of Bower Edleston, and the provision of essential legal services by Martyn Measures of Hibberts."
 
"There has also been great support from the community by way of fund raising events organised by APHAx."

Roland explained: "The Annexe will provide the following much needed accommodation:

• Lounge and Dining facilities for senior citizens members of ADCA. (A replacement for the demolished Thornton House)
• Dedicated Space for a new Youth Club/Centre. (The previous club closed several years ago mainly due to lack of suitable premises)
• Storage and dressing rooms for the 5As drama group whose productions include the annual pantomime with participants from 8 to 80 years old.
• Changing Rooms for both Audlem FC senior and Audlem Saints junior footballers, cycling and other sports.
• A community run fitness room equipped with treadmills, rowing machine and exercise bikes.

Roland added: "The proposed Annexe is designed to be multi-use and all the groups have worked together to maximise the space available.

"The APHAx team have been working hard for over three years to make this dream a reality and thanks to the Big Lottery Fund and support from the Community we are delighted that Audlem residents of all ages will have the sport and recreational facilities they deserve."

Geoff Stretch, chairman of the Audlem Public Hall committee said: "The Public Hall has had major improvements over the past decade and the Annexe will make it possible to provide a wider range of facilities for sport and recreation for Audlem. This is really good news for the Public Hall and Audlem."

Heather Jones, chair of Audlem Parish Council, commented: "Councillors are delighted to hear that the bid for Lottery funding has been successful and that work on the long-awaited Annexe to the Public Hall will soon be under way.

"Congratulations to the team who worked so hard to obtain the grant to enhance community facilities in the heart of the village."

The Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. They are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery for good causes and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.

Since June 2004 they have awarded over £8 billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans.

Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £33 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.
 

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