A Village hall which is the heart of a community has received a grant of thousands of pounds to help restore it.

The Reading Room in Helmdon, near Brackley, has received a £10,000 Awards For All Grant from the Big Lottery to put towards restoring the Victorian building.

The hall’s secretary Caroline King said: “It’s wonderful and generous and we will be using the money very well – we are delighted.”

The hall is used four days a week and is also in use almost every night and weekend for private functions and village activities.

The hall was given to the village in 1887  by a wealthy gentleman, John Fairbrother.

The Brackley & Towcester Advertiser - 14 May 2010