COTHERSTONE Village Hall’s “grotty pink” walls and yellow ceiling have been given a fresh makeover thanks to college students.
Trades4Care, a group that offers practical experience for students alongside qualified professionals to give care facilities and community venues a makeover, descended on the hall in the week before Easter.
The works forms part of a Teesdale Action Partnership funded project to redecorate 12 village halls and centres in the region.
Bishop Auckland student Matthew Walker sacrificed his Easter holiday to join the team.
He said: “I enjoy coming out quite a lot because I like learning practical things and helping the community.”
He previously helped with decorating work at Gainford Village Hall, TCR Hub in Barnard Castle and Evenwood Parish Hall.
Also working alongside professionals Charlie Wright and Cameron Southworth was regular Michael Rammage. He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. It has given me confidence over the past year and also I have learned skills that I didn’t know I had.”
The work proved particularly difficult because of the hall’s height and its many curtained windows.
Mr Wright said: “It has been a bit of a challenge because of the height and all the rigging.
“The ceiling was yellow. It took two coats on the ceiling and three coats on the walls.”
Grateful village hall members supplied the crew with homemade chocolate cake and biscuits.
Hall secretary Jean Ambrose was thrilled with the quality of work.
She said: “The walls were a grotty pink, it looks much smarter now.”
The walls have been painted pale green, and the yellow ceiling has been painted white.
