Island Roads Volunteers Help Freshen Up Chillerton And Gatcombe Village Hall

Paintbrushes and rollers were put to good use when Island Roads community service volunteers helped redecorate Chillerton and Gatcombe Village Hall.

The hall, a hub of village life hosting church groups, music sessions, coffee mornings and private events, had reached out to the Island’s highways contractor for a helping hand with a makeover.

After villagers prepared the space, five Island Roads employees – Pam Chinn, Maddy Clewett, Iain Thornton, Rachael Thornton and Geoff – got to work, giving the hall a fresh coat of light green paint.

Island Roads encourages employees to take part in two days of community volunteering each year, and projects like the village hall fit perfectly with the scheme.

The team were looked after throughout the day by the Community Association Committee, with tea, coffee, home-baked cakes and sausage rolls on offer.

Association treasurer Phillipa Veitch said:

“We cannot thank Ian, Rachael, Maddy, Pam and Geoff enough for all their help.

"They worked like Trojans (without needing constant instruction) and got on with the job so fast I almost wished we’d been organised enough to have the kitchen and bathroom ready to be painted as well.”

Streetworks manager Iain Thornton added:

“It was grey and rainy outside but the mood inside was bright as we got to work on the hall.

"It is great to make a difference to our Island community and my colleagues and I enjoyed meeting people and helping out.”