Bradford & District | Archive | 2002 | September | 27
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 27th Sep 2002.
Campaigners who have battled to save a community hall have won their fight to reopen the building.
The hall in Beldon Road, Great Horton, Bradford, was closed last year after its management committee suffered financial problems.
It has since been vandalised.
The hall was built about 12 years ago with the aid of a Government grant but a lack of Council funding meant it was forced to shut, according to ward councillors.
But now the newly-formed Community Association of Great Horton has reopened the hall after being given permission to rent it by Bradford Council.
Last June 800 residents signed a petition asking the Council to let the association use the building again.
Association chairman, Ken Kenzie, said the hall would now be available for bingo, dancing classes, a luncheon club, youth club, and anything else the community needed.
He said: "This was a purpose-built community facility and should be used by local people.
"It is a good size all on ground level, so is accessible to everyone. We didn't want to see it being let to anyone else.
"We are happy to have got to this stage but now need the support of groups wanting to use the building so we can pay the Council rent and cover the bills.
"We will also need to see to the interior of the building. We are now applying for funding."
Councillor Andrew Smith (Con), who represents the Queensbury ward which borders the Great Horton ward, said: "After 12 months of nothing happening we have managed to secure the lease.
"That is the easy part, however. Now we have to build up a vibrant community hall."
Councillor the Reverend Paul Flowers (Lab, Great Horton) said: "The community will be delighted the right decision has been taken after a huge amount of work."
A Council spokesman said: "We are entering into discussions with the Community Association of Great Horton to see if progress can be made on the lease to them of Great Horton Village Hall."
© Newsquest Media Group 2008