'We're delighted' - Community groups cook up a storm thanks to £15,000 kitchen revamp in Cleadon.

Community groups in Cleadon can now cook up a storm in their village church after a £15,000 kitchen makeover.

Thanks to cash backing from parishioners, the National Lottery Community Fund and the Diocese of Durham, the popular kitchen at All Saints’ Church Hall, in Sunderland Road, now boasts a whole new look.

Improvements include new units, all new appliances, new windows and new flooring. The work has also included painting and decorating, and improved heating.

The Rev Vernon Cuthbert, Priest in Charge, at All Saints, said: “We’re delighted with the new kitchen – it’s an asset that we’re happy to share with the Cleadon community.

“Our church hall is used by a wide range of community groups, from mums and toddlers groups, to uniformed organisations, karate clubs, keep-fit classes, pilates classes and U3A meetings – all of whom use the kitchen.

“We’d like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund and the Diocese of Durham for their generosity – and our parishioners who contributed towards the cost of the work.”

Beverley George, churchwarden at All Saints, added: “We managed to get the kitchen at a discounted price thanks to a relation of a parishioner, while several members of our congregation have helped by cleaning, tidying and providing paint.

“The church hall and kitchen are used by so many groups, and we hope the new kitchen will encourage even more groups to use our spaces. We have a great relationship with Cleadon Church of England Academy and pupils from Year Six come across for cookery lessons in the kitchen.”

If you’re interested in hiring All Saints Church Hall, contact [email protected]