A CHURCH has received a grant to contribute to a games club providing “social cohesion”.

St Mark’s Church in Hale, North Farnham, received a £3,000 grant from the Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund to provide equipment for a table tennis and games club run at the church.

The club serves a “deprived area with poor access to recreational facilities”, offering table tennis, pool, jigsaws, board games and a Wii video games console.

The Reverend Lesley Crawley, Rector of the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale, said the team were “very grateful”, adding: “The club has got off to a good start and numbers are growing steadily, largely by word of mouth recommendation.

“So far we have around 40 people from a broad range of ages engaging with the club, which is very encouraging. Old and young are able to form friendships while playing games and enjoying light refreshments and the inter-generational mix helps to build community cohesion.”

The club operates on alternate Friday evenings from 7- 9pm, and is free to all ages. The next club nights will be on November 8 and 22, and December 6.