WHEN Brilley school closed last year and the WI packed up, it was as if the heart had been pulled out of the village, says one resident. “Then this happened, and restored it.” ‘This’ is a 0.7-acre piece of grassland in the centre of Brilley. And what’s revived the community have been the efforts to buy it.

The land had been the school playground and there was anxiety about what might happen to it after the closure.

As the village hall also backs on to it, the idea of retaining it for everyone was logical – if daunting. How could a population of 250 raise the £30,000 needed in a few months?

Rose Lloyd, chairman of the village hall committee, said: “This was a huge amount of money for our small community to raise in a short space of time.” “We are a very small rural community, with no shop or village pub,” said Rose. “The school and village hall have always been at the heart of our community.

“Although this is a very rural area, there are no other public open spaces and the field has always been used as a community space for fetes and festivals.” So they set to work and raised a staggering £9,000 in the first three months. More fund-raising continued but, as the deadline neared, there were fears the target wouldn’t be reached in time and the land would be re-designated for housing.

That’s when the Hereford Times, through its parent company Newsquest Gannett, stepped in with a cheque for £10,000.

The committee had applied for a Gannett Foundation grant, just one of hundreds of groups across the UK that apply through their local newspaper for a share of the $900,000 the Foundation distributes annually in the UK.

Hereford Times editor Liz Griffin said: “There’s huge competition for the grants so we’re delighted to have been able to help the people of Brilley in this way.

“Losing the village school was a devastating blow but they’ve picked themselves up and proved that something good can be salvaged from the sadness.

“The field is a beautiful amenity in a stunning area that can now continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.” Meanwhile, a school reunion is being planned for June 21, between 2pm and 5pm, to mark what would have been 200 years of Brilley School. Call Jerry Burslem on 01544 327227 or email jerryburslem@tiscali.co.uk.

The Gannett Foundation gives grants to organisations in communities where the company owns a newspaper or television station.

It focuses on projects dealing with education and neighbourhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

Last year, it awarded £15,000 to Hereford Dial-a-Ride. More details about applying for a grant can be found at gannettfoundation.org or by emailing htnewsdesk@midlands.newsquest.co.uk