By mirek.gosney@newburynews.co.uk (Mirek Gosney) Villages in England can now apply for grants to improve and modernise their facilities. Village halls are the cornerstone of rural life, especially for those who are unable to travel great distances. But many are in poor repair and require modernisation to better serve their communities. On Tuesday, December 20, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and former MP for Newbury Richard Benyon (2005-2019) announced the opening of the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund enable villages to draw from £3m in capital funding. It is antici…