HAROME Parish Hall has been chosen as December's winner of the Calverts Carpets Community Chest Scheme, run in conjunction with the Gazette & Herald.

The committee has recently refurbished the hall, but funding could not stretch to much-needed new flooring.

Originally, the buildings were given to trustees in Harome in 1926 by Adela Constantine Alexandria Shaw, of Welburn Manor. The buildings were in need of some sprucing up, so the Harome parishioners volunteered to do it. Refurbishment was expensive then, as it is now. In 1926, loads of gravel, carried by horse and cart from the river Rye, cost 2.5p - a lot of money then.

Many years had passed since then and the hall was in need of a refurbishment again. Volunteers had already repainted the main hall, committee room and kitchen and fitted new curtains. All they needed was new flooring.

Committee member Barbara Johnson read about the Calverts Carpets Community Chest scheme in the Gazette & Herald and decided to apply. The scheme is designed to give local under-funded groups, good causes and charitable organisations the chance to have a carpet makeover for their premises.

"We have received so much support from local people in our restoration of Harome Parish Hall," said Barbara. "In small communities, it's important to have a place that everyone can use.

"We wanted to get the majority of the work done in time for Christmas as we have a series of community events planned for the New Year. The last thing we needed to do was sort out the flooring and thanks to Calverts Carpets we've been able to.

"We're planning a cheese and wine open day at the end of February and a race evening on Saturday, March 27 - the events will be a great way for the community to unite."

James Calvert, who oversees the running of the Nawton, Malton, Driffield and Scarborough stores, said: "We decided to launch the Community Chest scheme as a way of thanking the community that has supported us for many years.

"We felt that Harome Parish Hall should be December's winner because it has a great history and I'm sure it will continue to be an integral part of the community. We wish them the best of luck in the future!"

The Calverts Carpets Community Chest scheme is still open and will be continuing into the New Year. If you feel that your community group, voluntary organisation or charity deserves a carpet makeover, send in your application.

Please write no more than 200 words - you can do it in bullet point form - but remember to include your full address and a name and daytime contact telephone number.

Send your entry to Kathryn Moore, Calverts Carpets, Cicada Public Relations, 101 Station Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1HB. Previous unsuccessful applications are reconsidered every month, so there is no need to write again if you have not been lucky so far.

Updated: 09:24 Monday, December 22, 2003