A VILLAGE hall that acts as a vital community hub is being helped to keep its doors open by a coronavirus fund grant.

The Wiltshire Community Foundation has awarded the Bouverie Hall in Pewsey £2,500 from its Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund to help cover its running costs after its income plummeted during lockdown and has continued to be affected by Covid restrictions.

The hall is used by dozens of clubs, voluntary groups and organisations every year and the income helps pay running costs and hall upkeep. It was also used a base for Covid response group Pewsey Community Coronavirus Assist over the summer.

But chairman of trustees Jean Rickard said despite re-opening at the end of August after being closed for five months, its cash reserves have been eaten away.

She said: “Normally at this time of year we would have £25,000 or £30,000 in our bank account but we are now at £7,000. Since we opened our doors again, we very limited on the groups who can use it and that is having a huge effect on our income."

Money-making events such as the monthly Moviola cinema club and carnival events have all had to be cancelled, as well as other regular activities that provided a chance for villagers to get together as well as contribute to the hall’s maintenance.

The rule of six has meant another regular hirer, the Emmanuel Church from Marlborough, has had to cancel Sunday services there.

“Although they have been doing their seating in family groups, stopping children from socialising is very tough, so they won’t be using the hall,” said Mrs Rickard.

She said that even though income is down, the running costs have still have to be met, which is why the reserves are dwindling.

“Our running costs are just short of £7,000 a month." Mrs Rickard said. "And to keep them down we now have an army of volunteers from among the trustees and the village going in every day to clean the hall and make it Covid safe.”

The grant will cover the cost of a £1,500 Covid deep clean of the hall, help towards the loss of income and pay for hand sanitisers and paper towel dispensers.

Mrs Rickard added: “The grant is very welcome, and we are incredibly grateful.”

Wiltshire Community Foundation interim co-chief executive Fiona Oliver said: “Village halls play such a huge role in rural communities and they would be a huge loss. Part of what our fund is about is helping communities recover from the pandemic and helping to ensure these important hubs survive is key to that.”

To donate to the Wiltshire and Swindon Coronavirus Response Fund or to find out how to apply for a grant, go to wiltshirecf.org.uk.