Rishi Sunak MP joined residents in North Cowton for a community coffee morning in support of local efforts to improve access at the village hall.
Held at North Cowton Village Hall, the event brought together villagers and parish councillors to enjoy tea, coffee and homemade cakes, with all proceeds going towards plans to improve the hall’s facilities.
Funds raised will support early work to improve disabled access to the hall, a complex challenge due to the building’s location and the steep surrounding bank.
During the visit, Mr Sunak spent time speaking with residents, hearing first-hand about village priorities, recent local challenges and the practical realities of maintaining a well-used rural community space.
North Cowton Village Hall sits at the heart of village life. Built on land gifted to the community after the First World War, it hosts a wide range of activities including community coffee mornings, exercise classes, bowls, table tennis, pickleball sessions, a village choir and private celebrations.
Parish Councillor Sally Buckley said: “It was a well-attended, convivial and genuinely useful occasion. People came with questions or simply for a chat, and we were grateful that Mr Sunak took the time to speak with everyone. The hall exists to bring people together, and this visit reflected exactly that spirit.”
The Richmond and Northallerton MP praised the commitment of volunteers and residents who keep the hall thriving, describing it as “a brilliant example of how rural communities come together and look after shared spaces.”
He added that village halls like North Cowton’s are “often the quiet backbone of rural life – places where community, wellbeing and opportunity meet – and they deserve support as they adapt for the future.”
The Village Hall Committee continues to explore options to improve accessibility, alongside a busy programme of events, including an Open Garden event later in the year.
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