ST Paul’s Church in Tongham is celebrating after receiving a £9,400 funding boost from SUEZ Communities Trust (formerly SITA Trust) for the refurbishment of the old school church hall, which is used regularly by both the church and the community.

The refurbishment will include redecoration of the main hall (the north room) and the south room. The flooring will also be replaced in the north room.

Rev Claire Holt, said: “We are thrilled to be enabled to update our beautiful old building and to be able to continue to use it for a wide range of activities, both for the community and the church.

“From fellowship lunches for the retired to Coffeeplus toddler group and Pilates, dance and art groups - everyone will benefit from this work.”

Marianne Ivin of the SUEZ Communities Trust, added: “The hall was clearly in need of an update and we are more than happy to provide the funding to help the church spruce things up and hopefully allow them to attract more groups to the facility.

“SUEZ Communities Trust provides grants through the Landfill Communities Fund. This source of funding has been available since 1997 and has provided such worthy projects with more than £1.4 billion.”