VILLAGERS are celebrating after Hen Ysgol Y Ferwig Cyf was awarded a £65,700 National Lottery grant to help purchase the old school hall which they currently lease from Ceredigion County Council.

General improvements will include damp proofing, heating and improved glazing for windows. They will also employ a part-time coordinator to help oversee existing activities, increase the number of new activities and further increase community use.

The grant of £65,700, over five years, will cover revenue of £15,700 and capital of £50,000. The grant will contribute towards equipment, building purchase and construction/refurbishment. Revenue will be used to cover general running costs.

Clive Davies, Chair of the Working Committee said: “Having the support from the Big Lottery Fund will make all the difference to our aim to own and upgrade this much-used building in the village, give it much-needed repairs and employ someone to extend its use even further and reach the wider community. Exciting times lie ahead.

“We can now realise the plans for additional classes, interest groups and facilities across a number of communities the old school building serves.

“Having built this working committee up and increased the volunteers and users of the old school in Ferwig, it’s great that we’ve had this lottery money to take us to the next level and we would like to say a big thank you to the Big Lottery Fund.”

Derek Preston-Hughes, funding manager at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We are pleased to support Hen Ysgol y Ferwig Community Hub. Thanks to players of the National Lottery, the Big Lottery Fund is able to give a grant of £65,700 to make the building a better fit for the plans the community have for it.

“The charity set up to run the Hub has spent a year engaging with the community to come up with a plan to develop the building for the greatest community benefit. The plans include more activities for young people, IT training and community projects. I am looking forward to visiting the Hub as it develops.”