TROWBRIDGE and Westbury are celebrating after receiving thousands of pounds from the government’s Covid-19 pandemic Cultural Recovery Fund.

Trowbridge Town Hall Trust was awarded £36,635 while All Saints' Church in Westbury was given £24,400 in the second round of CRF.

David Lockwood, the director of Trowbridge Town Hall Trust, said it was “time for a return to the things that make life worth living”.

The cash is expected to help support a series of gigs in May, visual art exhibitions, independent cinema screenings, and community engagement projects across the town.

Mr Lockwood said: “I’m delighted that once again we’ve been able to bring central government money into Trowbridge.

“This award is testament to the local and national significance of the Town Hall to our cultural life and gives us the greatest opportunity of realising the enormous potential of the building.

“Moreover, this funding will enable us to give people in the town events to enjoy.

“Over the last year, we’ve given a lot of thought to the things we need to live. Now, hopefully, it’s time for us to return to the things that make life worth living.”

At Westbury’s historic All Saints' Church, the money will be used to help recover and reopen its facilities and lay on community activities and events.

Team Rector Reverend Rebecca Harris, said: “We are absolutely delighted. This will help us to make some essential repairs and improvements to the church to be able to welcome visitors to our beautiful building and help us towards a more sustainable future.

“The last year has been very difficult for us and we have been especially sad not to be able to welcome people into our building on a daily basis as we have done in the past.

“This money will help us to prepare to welcome many more people when we are permitted to once more.”