Oxhill celebrates after receiving huge lottery funding to renovate village hall

Oxhill, just 10 miles from Banbury, will use the funding to renovate and extend its village hall which dates back to 1870 and was originally built to serve the village as a school.

The money comes from the National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes a share of the £30 million raised by the Lottery players for good causes.

The funding will mean that the village hall can be extended to accommodate the growing population of the village and also update some of the facilities so that the hall is accessible to all users.

The renovation project started in 2019 and is well supported by local volunteers who are undertaking some of the work themselves.

Jo Collings, chair of the Oxhill village Hall trustees, said the village is thrilled by the news. She added: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can provide disabled facilities, insulate the hall to modern standards and provide a hall which will meet 21st century standards. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.”

Similar Lottery funding was given to the Hill Community and Sports Centre in Bretch Hill, Banbury in 2020. That project saw the planning and construction of a new centre that serves the community with a variety of art, social, sport, and child-friendly activities and is run by the Banbury Community Church.

To find out more information on the National Lottery community funding, visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk