A LOCAL village hall has upgraded their facilities to encourage the community to get together, following the impact of Covid-19

Mottisfont Village Hall Association have accepted a cheque of £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to make improvements ahead of the return of the annual village fete.

The annual village fete has been cancelled for the past three years due to covid but will be back this year along with the new facility upgrades.

The money, received by chair, Lynn Young and treasurer, Pat Francis, has been used to refurbish the existing patio area behind the village hall build a new raised flower bed.

In their application the association said: “Mottisfont Village Hall, formerly the local school which close in 1982, has become a focal point for the village. Although the Covid restrictions have been lifted many people, the elderly and vulnerable, are reluctant to come to indoor events. Improving the patio area has created a safe place to meet outside providing a sense of community in this relatively isolated rural area.

“The whole community will benefit from the improvement to this area and be used for the village fete, children’s parties, barbecues, weddings and simply an area for local people to sit and meet friends and family.”

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Summer bedding has already been planted ready for the return of the annual village fete.

The Mottisfont Village Hall will host the fete on Sunday, August 14 from 1pm with familiar favourites along with new features such as the Portsmouth Reptile and Amphibian Society (PRAS), offering a selection of reptiles and snakes to hold and tarantulas to watch.

The Romsey Ukulele Band will be playing during the afternoon, whilst visitors can also try dry fly casting, skittles, coconut shy, tombola, raffle, treasure hunt, children’s games, name the teddy bear, books, bric-a-brac, homemade jams, cake and tea.

The Mottisfont Village Hall Association said: “Everyone’s invited to Mottisfont Village Hall on Sunday to see the new patio with fabulous views over the Dun valley and try street food, barbecue, and drinks in the bar.”

The association next plan to fill the raised beds with herbs and sensory plants ready for the autumn.