Residents of a Dartmoor village have had an early Christmas present as their dreams of a new community hall came closer to reality when contractors began work on the long-awaited building last month.

However, while the current construction phase will result in a water-tight building by the end of March, further fundraising is required to complete the hall before it can open.

Local volunteers have spent years laying the groundwork for a new community space to serve Widecombe-in-the-Moor. After a detailed feasibility study concluded that a new, accessible building for the village was much needed and well supported, the Widecombe Community Hall CIO was formed in 2019. Land for the hall in the heart of the village was kindly gifted for the project. Since then, volunteers have finalised the design, gained planning permission, managed major fundraising activities and funding applications, created a new site access and completed significant groundworks including draining and levelling the field and connecting the site to mains power.

The new hall will consist of a large main hall, separately hireable multi-use room, well-equipped kitchen and a secure and attractive garden area for outdoor gatherings and overflow space and parking.

Created as a hub for the whole community, the building will cater for a variety of needs from large gatherings to small meetings and it will be accessible to ensure community groups are available to a wider range of people, including those with mobility needs.

‘This new facility will be a hub for the whole community, providing access to recreation, sporting, artistic and health activities. New groups and events are planned as a result of survey feedback, including a youth club, yoga, keep fit, dancing and concerts,’ a spokesperson from Widecombe Community Hall CIO said. ‘Once complete it will provide a much-needed community focal point in the heart of Widecombe’s sprawling rural parish.’

The building has been designed to PasivHaus energy efficiency standards and includes PV solar panels and EV charging points to be climate friendly and minimise maintenance and running costs.

Widecombe Community Hall recently received £75,000 from Teignbridge District Council and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Rural England Shared Prosperity Fund to help move the project forward. The spending deadline attached to this grant is the end of March 2026, at which point a watertight building must be complete.

To date, local fundraising events have totalled £68,000. The charity has also benefitted from a significant bequest, substantial local donations and the grant of £75,000, which enabled it to appoint contractors for this phase of work.

‘We can’t wait to see the new hall emerge,’ commented Widecombe Community Hall chair of trustees Yvette Elliot.’ Further funding (of around £250,000) is still required to get us to completion, but the backing of the local community and supporters from further afield will undoubtedly help us achieve this together.’

Once the Community Hall has enough funding for subsequent phases, it will be able to appoint the professionals to proceed. These projects include: timber cladding and stone facing, which includes the supporter wall fundraiser where people can buy an engraved stone; solar panels; car chargers; plumbing; wiring; kitchen and bathroom fit-outs; decoration; buying equipment such as tables and chairs; and landscaping works.