THERE was a good turnout for a coffee morning and a ribbon cutting ceremony with a difference at Sandford Parish Hall on Saturday, March 16.

The event was organised by the hall committee to mark improvements to the toilets and car park at the hall.

Chairman, Mike Snow, welcomed all present and explained what a big difference the refurbishment of the toilets and the paving in the car park had made.

The work had been on the agenda for several years and finally, with the kind help of Andrew Webb in planning and managing, the projects were now complete.

On behalf of the committee, Mike thanked Ross Stephens and Alistair Kidd for their work on both projects.

The work would not have been possible without income from grants and donations from the Amory Trust - £500, Mid Devon District Council Tap Fund - £2,242.88, Norman Family Charitable Trust - £500, Lottery Grant - £10,000, anonymous donation - £5,000, HMRC (gift aid on donation) - £1,250, The Crossing (parish magazine) - £500 and Newton St Cyres Young Farmers’ - £400 which came to a total of £21,392.88.

Expenditure on projects at the hall came to a total of £38,112.48 which includes £23,772.48 for refurbishment of the toilets and £14,340 on improvements to the car park, leaving the hall to fund £16,719.60.

Yvonne Pope of Crediton District Access Group cut the “toilet paper ribbon” to officially open the refurbished toilets and the paving area in the car park.

She told the Courier: “The new car park area is great.

“The firm surface makes it so much easier to get in and out of the car and the wider, marked, disabled spaces means people don’t park too close.

“I’ve had to wait for someone to come back from shopping before because they’ve park so tight I couldn’t get into my car!”

She added: “The new spaces will also be helpful to mums with disabled children.”

The hall committee is always looking for new ideas and people to join.

If you would like to find out more contact Rosie by emailing: [email protected] or telephone 01363 772696.