ST Paul’s Parish Hall, in Evenwood, is undergoing a major redecoration thanks to a scheme that offers hands-on experience to college students and young people thinking about entering a trade.
The hall is one of 12 public facilities in the dale that are getting a makeover by Trades4Care in association with Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP).
TAP provided funding of £15,759 to the scheme, while each of the six county councillors from the dale added £3,000 from their neighbourhood pots.
Community venues provided the balance for their individual work. However, additional funds were provided to Evenwood’s parish hall from Cllr Robert Potts and Cllr James Cosslett’s neighbourhood budgets to carry out repairs to the roof and to make good damage to the bathroom caused when heavy rain leaked through.
St Peter’s Church supporter Brian Carter said an additional £5,000 was received from Durham Community Action to make the facility more energy efficient. This included internal plastering to prevent damp which was completed before the makeover started earlier this week.
A new boiler was installed, and later additional insulation is to be put in the false ceiling.
Bishop Auckland College students Matthew Walker and Thomas Wright-Pickles were happy to join the opportunity to work alongside qualified tradespeople Charlie Wright and Cameron Southworth.
Of the latest project Cllrs Potts and Cosslett said: “We are pleased to be able to support one of our community buildings as they are a valuable asset to the local community.
“Increasing running costs put pressure on ongoing maintenance budgets so we are happy to help get this building to do some repair works and for the Trades4Care project to complete decorating.”
Mr Wright said two additional students from New College Durham are expected to join the work party next week, with the project expected to be completed on Wednesday.
