The outdated toilets at a popular village hall in north Norfolk need replacing and a campaign to raise £34,000 kicks off with a glittering gourmet fundraiser.

North Norfolk News: A campaign has started to raise about £34,000 for new toilets at Blakeney village hall. Some of the trustees involved in the fundraising, pictured at the hall. Pictures: David BaleA campaign has started to raise about £34,000 for new toilets at Blakeney village hall. Some of the trustees involved in the fundraising, pictured at the hall. Pictures: David Bale (Image: Archant)

Built 38 years ago, Blakeney village hall in Langham Road needs renovating, particularly the toilets, to bring it up to the required standard.

The hall is run by the Blakeney village hall trustees whose new chairman Edward Hackford said: "The village hall is the hub of the community. It accommodates so much of the activity that goes on here. There's a badminton club, an indoor bowls club, and an antique fair

"Also, the U3A (University of the Third Age) uses it and North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb spoke here.

"The problem is that the toilets are outdated and overused. They need to be refurbished to meet modern demand. There are just two ladies' cubicles and there are always queues to use them. For the gents, there is one cubicle and three urinals. We want to expand capacity.

"The hall's also the base for Blakeney Players, who put on two big performances each year. It also accommodates the big Christmas party for the over 65s."

His predecessor as trust chairman, Jill Tibbetts, said: "We are hoping to get a big society grant and other grants, but none of them will give us all the money we need. Our crowdfunding page will be launched in January.

"We've had complaints about the toilets, how bad they are, and how smelly the men's are. We need new floors, new walls and new lights, and we are also thinking about the environment too."

The first fundraising event, the Gourmet Grazing and Showtime evening, offers a range of canapés from local chefs, singer/songwriter Steve Evans with a collection of his hilarious songs, The Old Wild Rovers with a new set and, specially reformed for this event, CADS (Cley Amateur Dramatic Society) with a new, exclusive performance.

It takes place at the village hall from 6-10pm on Saturday, October 19.

Tickets are £10 each available online at blakeneyvillagehall.org.uk, from Weston's Fish Shop in Blakeney High Street, Blakeney Garage or by calling 01263 741082.