Published: February 19, 2009
Highbridge's Morland Hall welcomes new development worker

Highbridge's Morland Hall received a welcome boost on Wednesday (February 18th) when a new dedicated development worker started her job, thanks to grant funding.

Sedgemoor Community Partnership (SCP), which is based at the hall, has received a 'grass roots grant' from Somerset Community Foundation to pay for the dedicated worker.

The hall's chairman, Richard Matthews, joined fellow hall supporters in welcoming the worker, Jane Wilson, on Wednesday, as pictured.

Richard told Burnham-On-Sea.com that Jane would be working with groups already using the hall and will also help to develop further projects. She will also be active in promoting the facilities of the hall and youth club.

The news provides a much-needed boost for Morland Hall, which Burnham-On-Sea.com reported earlier this year had suffered £4,000 of damage when its ceiling broke, leading to the damage of several rooms beneath.

Richard thanked the Somerset Community Foundation and added: 'This is a real opportunity for us to provide a springboard for the local community in Highbridge to get involved in projects and events at the hall, aimed at achieving long term sustainability of the facilities."

Justin Sargent, Director of the Somerset Community Foundation, was also on hand to welcome Jane into Highbridge, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "This project is exactly the kind of initiative the Somerset Community Foundation wants to support, where the local community is setting its agenda and improving their quality of life on their terms. With the help of Somerset people and businesses we will be able to support projects like this in the long term."

The Burnham and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership has also been supporting the Morland Hall project, and Sue Quatermass, its development worker, said she was very pleased that the SCP had received the grant funding.

She added that on March 24th at Burnham-On-Sea Community Centre there would be an opportunity for local groups to find out more information about 'grass roots grants' when a talk will be given at the Sedgemoor volunteer forum.