A FUND-RAISING campaign has been launched in Portbury to collect thousands-of-pounds for the renovation of the village hall.

A FUND-RAISING campaign has been launched in Portbury to collect thousands-of-pounds for the renovation of the village hall.

Committee members are hoping to raise more than �50,000 to give the inside of the 118-year-old High Street building a complete make over - making it more attractive but also more energy efficient.

This would include upgrading the main hall and stage area, refitting the social club lounge and taking down the suspended ceiling in the skittle alley to reveal the original roof rafters.

Areas of damaged floor joists will be replaced, lighting and electrics will be improved and up-to-date equipment will be installed in both bars.

Village hall committee chairman Andrea Ireland said: “We want to return it to its former glory.

“It is so well-used by so many people in Portbury. Everyone who comes here loves it.

“Lets haul this up by the boot straps and put her back on the map.”

Andrea, who became committee chairman in October, has already made some applications for funding to Waitrose and Biffa.

However, she also intends to write to the top 100 businesses in the Bristol area to ask for financial help and also apply for further grants. Fund-raising events such as quiz nights will also be put on at the hall.

Andrea said: “I will do anything, within reason, to raise the money.

“In the 1970s and 80s village halls began to lose their popularity but in the past couple of years there seems to have been a resurgence of people wanting to do more for their community.”

Portbury Village Hall was given to the village by Alfred Brittan and his wife, from Failand, and the opening ceremony was held in December 1893.

Originally called the Portbury and Failand Club, the building has been used by the community ever since.

It now hosts a social club with 200 members and is also used by many groups including the WI, Over 60s, the parish council, skittles groups and family sessions.

For more details about the hall and forthcoming fund-raising events visit www.portburyvillagehall.co.uk

If you would like to become a member of the social club call 01275 374754 and leave a message.

Anyone interested in become secretary of the social club committee can call Andrea on 07970 273062.