COMMUNITIES in three West Somerset villages could soon be having taster sessions in all kinds of activities - thanks to a joint project and funding to make best use of their villlage halls, improve their health and wellbeing, and enhance their community spirit.

The Stogursey, Holford and Kilve Engagement Project (SHAKE) is looking for various activity providers to run taster sessions and test local demand, thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund Awards for All.

“It came about because like all village halls we were looking to do more for our local communities, and we realised we ought to get together to deliver joint activities because we are all closely linked,” said Alan Falkingham, one of the organisers, from Holford and District Village Hall.

“The aim is to get people out of their houses and down to the village hall, talking together, and trying new things.

“We are now very keen to get to know about people in the area who can deliver two or three taster sessions for us, and if there is the demand, they would start up and sustain the activities on a commercial basis.”

The project is keen to hear from all kinds of providers - from teachers of foreign languages, photography and web design, to others who can run cookery classes, baby and toddler music groups, or Latin American dance and sports.

Organisers have also been conducting surveys to find out what activities local communities want.

Awards for All funding will cover the taster sessions, which will be split between the three villages at a cost of around £1,500 each. The project hopes to run the taster classes in late summer and early autumn.

Various session times are available across the three community halls.

For more information or to register an interest contact Allan Searle (Stogursey) on 01278 732820, [email protected]; Alan Falkingham (Holford) on 01278 741711, [email protected] or Mo Young on maureen.young @hotmail.com; Alison Eyley (Kilve) on 01278 741317, alisoneyley@ aol.com