WILSDEN Village Hall has launched an appeal to raise £20,000 for a major refurbishment.

The 40 Candles Birthday Appeal is being organised in the build-up to the hall’s 40th anniversary on June 19 next year.

Hall volunteers hope to raise £500 for every year of the hall’s life during the next 12 months of fundraising.

They are calling on residents and community groups to organise fundraising events, join a Friends scheme or donate cash.

Wilsden Village Hall management committee launched the appeal on July 6 – 40 years to the day since the foundation stone was laid by resident Fred Varley and pupils from Wilsden First School.

Committee spokesman, Lisa Firth, said: “The appeal aims to completely refurbish the ageing building.

"This will make it a brighter, pleasanter place for the more than 30 groups who use it on a weekly basis.”

Current users include the nursery, uniformed groups, dance and fitness classes, community library, walkers, the art group and many more.

Lisa added: “Wilsden Village Hall is a brilliant venue at the heart of our community and we are lucky to have it. As a not-for-profit, self-funding charity, it relies on a combination of user fees and fundraising to cover its substantial costs.

“The hall is held in trust for the people of Wilsden – it belongs to all of us and we all have a stake in its future. Together we can reach our target!”

The committee has developed two resources to help groups organise fundraising events, which are available to download free from the hall bosses website.

One is the 40 Candles appeal fundraising pack and the other is a 40 Candles challenge pack, which would enable members of youth and uniformed groups to earn a badge in return for supporting the venture.

Text WVHC40 £5 to 70070 to donate £5 to the appeal or visit wilsdenvillagehall.co.uk/40candles for more details.

The hall management committee recently established the Wilsden Entertainment Society to act as a springboard for social groups in the village.

It will look at setting up such as a film club or an amateur theatre group, along with theme nights, murder mysteries, quizzes, singalong film nights, duck races, ceilidhs and a pantomime.