MORE than £20,000 investment in a local orange hall has been welcomed by North Down MLA Stephen Dunne.
Crawfordsburn LOL 1091 successfully applied for grants through the National Lottery Community Fund, and the rural micro capital grant scheme, run by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAREA).
Improvements have already begun on the hall in Crawfordsburn’s Main Street.
Secretary of Crawfordsburn LOL 1091 Ian Henry said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding, which will really help to allow us to improve the facilities we offer to the local community. I would like to thank Stephen Dunne MLA, the National Lottery Community Fund, Country Down Rural Network and DAERA for their support and the award of these transformative grants.
“This investment will make a profound impact on our hall, ensuring we can continue to be an active part of the local community in Crawfordsburn. In recent years, we have been making an effort to open the hall up to various groups in the local community for public use. The new TVs will help make us a more attractive option for groups looking for a venue to host meetings.
“Meanwhile, the improvements to our roof and kitchen will future-proof the hall and provide it with better facilities to offer the local community. If any local group would like to use the hall in future, please get in touch, and we would be more than happy to facilitate this.”
On a visit to the hall, Mr Dunne said: “Crawfordsburn Orange Hall is an integral part of the iconic Main Street within Crawfordsburn village. I am delighted that this grant funding will help ensure the Hall receives the necessary investment to continue to be an active part of the local community.”
The Assemblyman said it had been a ‘pleasure’ to work with the officers and committee of LOL 1091, adding: “I am excited to see the final product once the improvements to this historic hall are complete, and I wish the group well for the work ahead.
“The success of the lodge on this occasion highlights that there is grant support available to community groups. My office is happy to assist any group seeking to make any applications.”
