Hall will be built after windfall

A Shropshire village will have a new community hall after its committee received a £125,000 windfall, allowing work to start on the building next month.

Today, Tilstock hall committee secretary Pearl Clawley confirmed the cash grant from the Bradbury Trust and said it means work on the new £245,000 building can all be done in one go.

Plans to build the new hall have been in the pipeline for six years and while funding was in place for a January build the inside would have been finished off in stages if it was not for the grant.

The hall will now be called the Tilstock Bradbury Village Hall.

Mrs Clawley said: "We have just got £125,000 from the Bradbury Trust which takes total funding from them to £175,000.

"We are all absolutely delighted about the grant and it is a brilliant Christmas present.

"Contractors will be on site next month and will just get out there and build it."

The Bradbury Trust is the legacy of Bertie Bradbury, of Whitchurch, who made millions on the stock market in Hong Kong and cash from his legacy is given to good causes.

Mrs Clawley added: "We did have a shortfall and were going to do the inside of the building in stages but now we have the money.

"We are very delighted and although we knew the grant was on its way before Christmas we have had to wait as we needed written confirmation and it's now all legal and above board."