THE new village hall at Bishopswood is progressing well despite bad weather. When finished this summer it will offer a range of facilities to the public as well as villagers.

Just down from Kerne Bridge former station, the site was a railway sidings area which has since provided car parking for a picnic site and canoe launch point. The Wye Valley Walk passes along the onetime track above the river meadows.

The old village hall on the other side of the road was well used despite its decrepitude. It was meeting place for the parish council, Women's Institute, Community Association and many others.

The new site, acquired by Herefordshire county council from the Great Western Railway when the Ross-Monmouth line closed, is immediately adjacent to car parking and spacious enough to allow for a multi-purpose building.

The total cost of around £300,000 is being provided by grants from Herefordshire council, Walford parish council, the Rural Development Commission, Southern Marches Partnership, English Partnerships, the Eveson Charitable Trust and Rehau Ltd. Sale of the former site, now being built on, provided a further contribution.

Architect Graham Frecknell was asked to provide a hall, served by a kitchen, seating 150 in theatre format or 90 at tables. It can also be used for badminton and other games.

There will also be a committee room and IT room planned to hold four computers linked to the Internet, one of which will allow for desktop publishing. There is full disabled access.

Public lavatories will serve walkers and other visitors to the picnic site. At the side of the building a landscaped amphitheatre will permit outdoor events.

"It is on target to be completed in June," says Colin Price, chairperson of the committee formed to oversee the project. "We will be arranging a ceremonial opening in September."