Help needed to 'lighten the load' at Cuddington and Sandiway Village Hall

The village hall, which is run by the Cuddington and Sandiway Playing Fields Association, opened in 2009 after volunteers worked tirelessly to secure funding.

Currently it is ran by around 12 volunteers, though many of these are in their 80s.

Margaret Card, chairman of the Cuddington and Sandiway Playing Fields Association, said: “We are so busy every single day.

“There is something going on every day, every evening of the week, that’s why we’re looking for volunteers. We do have other things in our lives.”

Margaret, 84, and her husband Gerry, 85, have been involved with the association for more than three decades.

Gerry said: “Our time is numbered, we’re all getting older. We don’t know how much longer we have left.”

Margaret added: “We just need someone to lighten the load.”

Denis Kidd, who turned 90 last week, has volunteered for the association for around 15 years.

“I am still happy to help round the hall,” he said.

“I was chairman of the committee that helped build the hall. I made it clear at the time that I wouldn’t run it.”

A number of roles are available to suit people with different kinds of skills, from general maintenance of the hall and playing fields, to promoting upcoming events.

There are also various committees to be involved with.

David Parks-Smith, 77, has helped out with the association for around 20 years, and said it has proved very rewarding.

While the work would suit someone who has recently retired, he said young people are also welcome.

“They’ve got to be trustworthy and reliable,” he said. “Young people can be reliable if they put their minds to it.”

Gerry added: “We just need people to commit themselves. It is a commitment. People don’t want to commit themselves these days. We’re looking for people who can commit to taking on tasks.”

Anyone interested in volunteering should call 01606 212706 or email enquiries@cuddingtonandsandiwayvillagehall.org.uk