Residents have launched a campaign to save their village hall after a council announced it will no longer fund the facility.
Heighington Village Hall committee said it is “exploring options” to keep the building open after 2027, when Darlington Borough Council’s financial support will end.
Committee members issued a call for new “creative and passionate” volunteers to protect the site’s future and pick up the financial burden. The committee also advertised for a new booking secretary to oversee the hall hire – the building’s main source of revenue.
A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson said: “For a number of years, the council has rented part of Heighington Village Hall from the church trustees, and sub-let to Heighington Community Association.
“This lease is due to expire in 2027. As part of the lease, the council has covered costs for exterior repairs and heating.
“The council is unable to commit to renewing the lease beyond 2027. This has been discussed with the community association well ahead of time, to enable them to have discussions with the church trustees.”
Gerald Lee, Conservative councillor for Heighington and Coniscliffe, said he was “very disappointed” the council had withdrawn its financial support despite efforts to change the authority’s mind.
There is still hope
“The community of Heighington has always had a ‘can-do’ attitude, so I am confident that the hard-working Village Hall Association committee and volunteers will continue to maintain and organise events for the benefit of the parish in the years to come.
“I would, however, strongly support their appeal for more volunteers to come forward to help them because, despite the committee’s organisational skills and ambition, they must have support from the community.
“Over the years, we have never lacked volunteers, so hopefully this should continue given the new houses that have been built, bringing in lots of young people.”
The Heighington Village Hall meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm. The next meeting is on May 13.
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