THE project to build a new £0.9m community hub in Raglan is one step closer, with the news that Raglan Village Hall Association (RVHA) have gone through to Stage 2 of a £0.5m BIG Lottery (People and Places) application.

Following last year’s community consultation in Autumn 2014, the group has been working hard on the project to build a community hub in the village. The £0.5m funding application to BIG Lottery is a central part of this.

Andrew Johnson, Chair of RVHA said: “It is very important that we can clearly demonstrate the needs of the village and that they support national, regional and local strategies for communities e.g. Ageing Well in Wales.

“In this regard, two members of the RVHA, Kirstie Pope and Kathleen Butler-Donnelly, have done an incredible amount of work, the outcome of which has been that the RVHA has been invited to make a full stage two funding submission for a £0.5m grant for the new community hub project."

Stage two BIG Lottery funding submissions have to be completed within six months and require much more detail around the project including a full needs analysis, a business plan and clear indicators that can be used to measure the success of the project.

“As last year, we plan to have a detailed consultation with the community to help guide us on our stage two submission. As such we hope that all parts of our community, whether that be individuals, groups or businesses, will participate and ensure the success of this critical piece of work,” added Andrew.

The RVHA meet in the Old Church School on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm and meetings are open to all. Anyone who would like to help the RVHA with its work or find out more about what the RVHA does can contact Andrew Johnson on 01291 690072.