A community hall and bar in Teignmouth welcomed Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley and Teignmouth mayor councillor Cate Williams on Friday (August 29) to show off its newly refurbished facilities.

Volunteers from the Richard Newton Hall spent two weeks in August laying a new sports hall floor and redecorating the lounge and bar area.

The new hall floor has markings for badminton and pickle-ball and is now big enough for most social events. The lounge and bar area are sporting a new colour scheme with new decorations and fittings.

‘It looks fresh and everyone has done a fabulous job,’ commented Teignmouth mayor councillor Cate Williams.

The costs of the refurbishment project were met through volunteer fundraising and generous support from Teignmouth Town Council and the North Teignmouth Community Church, which holds a monthly 'Messy Church' from the hall.

The Richard Newton Hall is a registered charity run solely by volunteers. It is home to the New Road Area Community Association (NRACA), which was formed 50 years ago to provide a focus and facilities for social, recreational educational and cultural activities for people of all ages from Teignmouth and the surrounding area.

Today, the Richard Newton Hall continues to support the local community as a social hub. It offers exercise classes, bridge, badminton, karate, table tennis and is used as a base for a rambling group. The Hall also serves as a meeting space for groups such as the Women’s Institute and Probus, and can be hired out for private parties and events.

The bar, which is run by volunteers on the social committee is open to members on Friday and Saturday nights.