CULLINGWORTH councillors are helping to pay for security measures at the new Village Hall.

The Village Council voted to provide £3,333 for a security alarm and CCTV system once the hall has been constructed.

Council members discussed the application at a recent meeting, and decided to give £1,200 towards the cost of the equipment.

Members said they were very willing to help with the project wherever possible, but did not have unallocated money in their budget, so they could not meet the request in full.

Work began during the summer on building the long-awaited £860,000 Cullingworth Village Hall at a site on Lodge Street, to replace the ageing, overcrowded Village Hall in Station Road.

Construction is expected to be complete in December, with the hall opening by March once it has been fitted out.

The new community building will be substantially bigger than the current village hall to meet the needs of an expanding village.

It will contain a large hall with an adjoining small hall and catering kitchen, a permanent café in the foyer, and a secure space to be used solely for Cullingworth Preschool.

The hall is the brainchild of Cullingworth Village Hall Renewal Committee, which five years ago set about the huge task of raising enough money.

Funding sources include £244,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, £411,000 of section 106 community funding from the David Wilson housing development at Manywells in Cullingworth, local fundraising, and donations from Cullingworth Preschool and various foundations.

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