AN EXCITING project is underway to improve the busy St Thomas’ Church Hall on Drybridge Street.

The hall, which is in need of modernisation, is already used for a range of activities including a parent and toddler group, a senior citizens club and Guides group.

When the redevelopment is complete, organisers plan to add a lunch club, drop-in support and a job club.

A Welsh Government grant of £340,000 has been awarded to the project to aid the work.

In addition, church and community members have raised £90,000, but they still need £30,000 to complete the project.

Fundraising and further grant applications are ongoing to cover the £30,000 gap, which is hoped to be met before work begins on the hall. A £5,000 grant towards the cost from the Allchurches Trust has been confirmed.

The hall will be closed at the end of May, before being cleared out throughout June. Works are expected to start in July, and run for nine months.

Fundraising will continue throughout, as funds must be raised to cover hall equipment.

Visiting the site, Monmouth Labour Party’s candidate for the Welsh Assembly Government elections, Catherine Fookes, said: “It’s fantastic that the Welsh Government has awarded a grant to the project and I am impressed that church and community members have come together to find additional funding to support the Overmonnow community.

“I was particularly interested to hear about the Ever Green lunch club, which provides much needed company for older people. This helps tackle isolation in our communities.”

The capital grant from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme will fund an improved entrance, enlarged main hall, better toilets, new function rooms and other modern facilities.