A VITAL community hall near Tenbury that is nearing the end of its life could be replaced if a bid for nearly £400,000 is successful.

The future of the hall that serves an isolated rural area could depend upon the Big Lottery Fund.

But, in the meantime, local volunteers are doing their best to keep the Eastham Memorial Hall viable.

Smaller fundraising has enabled them to improve the kitchen area but it is a case of keeping things going until a modern hall which meets 21st century standards can be built.

“With a typical life expectancy of 75 years, the memorial hall is now 94 years old and suffering significantly from the ravages of time,” said Pen Harrison, chairman of the hall’s committee.

“The management committee began a concerted effort of fundraising last year to finance necessary improvements to internal equipment.”

This has been successful and there has been support from a number of different sources.

Included in this is £1,500 from the Rank Foundation, £4,500 from Severn Waste and £7,920 from the Lottery ‘Awards for All’ scheme.

This money has been used to improve the kitchen area at the hall that is used throughout the week by different organisations for a wide range of community activities.

The isolated location of Eastham makes the hall even more important.

“We are delighted to have received this support but know that the long-term solution is to replace the existing building,” she added.

“Currently we are midway through an application to The Big Lottery for sufficient funds to rebuild this very important community facility.”

It is hoped that the outcome of the bid for more than £380,000 will be known in the next few months.

The hall as had a varied history that began when it was built following the First World War.

Eastham Memorial Hall was built in 1922, in memory of parishioners who fought in the Great War of 1914-18, some of whom sadly paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The names of these parishioners are displayed on a plaque, hanging proudly in the hall.

Constructed from a flat pack of timber and asbestos sheets the original hall was devoid of internal toilets and kitchen facilities and had a single coal fire for heating.

In the 1950s, a side extension was built, providing space for toilets, and a kitchen.

Then, about 25 years ago, a front porch was added, bringing the hall up to accessibility standards with a disabled toilet, and entrance ramp allowing wheelchair access.

For a while the hall was a working men’s club.

It is now hired out for yoga classes, gardening club meetings, parish council meetings and a monthly coffee morning.

The memorial hall is sometimes hired out by private individuals for children’s parties and other family celebrations.

Its management committee puts on a wide range of events to raise money to maintain the hall.

These social events include dinners, big screen films, Shindig performances and quizzes which also help to bring the community together.

It’s also used for Eastham’s very popular annual Flower and Produce Show and is the local polling booth for elections.