A project to create a community space in Dalby Church is well underway thanks to a grant from Manx Lottery Trust.

Over the last year major renovations have taken place to resolve issues with damp and create a bright open space for use by everyone in the community. 

The new area will be ideal for workshops, games, exhibitions and socialising. It will also create an integral shop selling basic stores, Manx produce and locally hand-crafted goods, with all profits going towards the running costs and upkeep of the building. 

The grant given by the trust has meant the building work and renovation could begin before damp problems worsened. It will also go towards fitting new plumbing, a disabled toilet, shower unit, flooring, wood burning stove, kitchenette, additional electric heaters and rewiring the basement.

Margy Killey, from the Dalby Community Hub, said: ‘The task of refurbishing the property has been huge and we could not have achieved this amazing progress this far without the support of Manx Lottery Trust. We are enormously thankful for their assistance. 

‘When the building work is completed it will be a multipurpose space where everyone is welcome.  We’re installing a hanging system to display a small local exhibition about the history of Dalby and we are even looking at offering TT homestay. It’ll be ideal for bikers to stay and relax and perfect for us to generate extra income to go towards maintenance.’

Lulu Gillow, Chair of the Manx Lottery Trust, said: ‘Creating an area where all members of the community are welcome is very special and the trustees were pleased to assist with funding to get the community hub up and running. We look forward to seeing it when the work is completed and hope people enjoy using what promises to be a flexible space.’