Ribble Valley village hall car park on the Tolkien Trail given revamp

Aighton, Bailey and Chaigley Memorial Hall has received the cash from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund for the resurfacing of its car park and additional playground equipment.

The fund, administered by Ribble Valley Borough Council, aims to strengthen the rural economy by supporting capital projects that boost small businesses or improve community infrastructure.

The hall was opened in 1965 as a war memorial and is a major meeting place for Hurst Green residents, as there are no shops in the village and a very limited bus service.

Known locally as the ABC, it is used by the Women’s Institute, a play group, youth club, hosts dance classes and is the home of Hurst Green Football Club.

ABC Memorial Hall chairman Niall Macfarlane said: “Our aim is to provide a venue that brings people together and builds strong relationships in the community, through inclusive social, sports and leisure activities.

“The hall is a much-valued facility that is helping to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents, by addressing loneliness and isolation.

“We are delighted to receive this grant, which has enabled us to bring much-needed improvements to the car park and adjacent playground, and I would like to thank Aighton, Bailey and Chaigley parish council chairman Margaret Carrington for her work on the scheme and Ribble Valley Borough Council for processing our application.”

Hurst Green is a major stop on the Tolkien Trail, which attracts visitors from throughout the UK, who use the ABC car park.