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Upchurch Village Hall. |
Upchurch Village Hall was built some 60 years ago and at that time the committee of villagers who helped in raising the funding for its construction set up a format for the future running of the hall. This was in the form of a legal document known as ‘The Trust Deeds’. The Trust Deeds formally ensured that by forming a Charity all Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee, (UVHMC), members become a ‘Trustee’ of the village hall for the duration that they are on the committee ensuring that they follow the rules and legalities of the Charity Commission during that time. The Trust Deed stipulates who can be on the UVHMC. It states that in the main the committee shall be formed of representatives from each of the village activity groups who use the hall such as the Women’s Institute although there is provision made to review this at the AGM each year. All Trustees have a legal responsibility for the running of the hall, along with health and safety and finance responsibilities associated with that. Maintenance and planning for the future are clearly also a part of this.
Whilst the village hall has been well maintained by the numerous Management Committees during the past 60 plus years some of the fabric and installations within the hall are now beginning to show signs that they need major repairs or complete replacement in order that the working life of the hall can be maintained.
These include replacement of the heating system, the electrical wiring, the main sloping roof, fascias and gutters, some of which are asbestos whilst some timber areas are rotting, along with an internal ceiling and the provision of insulation material above. As well as these items. The main hall sprung floor is now beginning to show significant signs of wear and tear, in spite of the regular attention and maintenance it has received over the years.
It is estimated that the cost of this work will be well in excess of £50,000 and whilst the village hall funds do not stretch this far, the UVHMC recognise that the work must be carried out in order that the hall can be kept in a safe and usable condition for the users.
Recently UVHMC have spent over £1,300-00 maintaining the electrics. Whilst this is necessary to keep the hall in good working order it is only a sticking plaster holding together a system that is in need of overall replacement.
Financial income for the running of the village hall comes largely from its hiring although on a number of occasions the committee have sought grants from various companies, charities and the Lottery Fund in order to carry out major works. Donations have also been received from numerous individuals and other groups within the village and together all these have enabled work to be carried out on the hall thus keeping it in a good order, something that all the hirers expect. Many of you will have seen details of these published in the village magazine, the Gabriel.
Currently UVHMC are raising funds in order that the heating can be replaced. The existing system is nearly 40 years old now and reaching the end of its life. It is no longer efficient and spare parts are no longer available when units break down. The cost of this work is in excess of £14,000-00 and to date nearly 50% of this has been raised by means of donations from groups and individuals, some having run fund raising events, others donating gifts. Recently the UVHMC were advised by the Lottery Fund that they would not be assisting them with a grant for this work so other ways of raising the funds must now be sought.
However, as the committee has been unable to raise the full amount for this work they are considering doing it in two stages, first the main hall and when sufficient funds are available, the rear hall. Obviously, this is not the most cost effective use of funds but it will ensure that there is sufficient heating in the main hall for those who use it.
The UVHMC hope that this goes just some way in explaining how the village hall is run, the large amount of work that is becoming necessary to keep the hall in good condition and the need for assistance in raising funds for such work. Should you feel that you would be able to help with raising funds, no matter how small, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the UVHMC Secretary, Pat New on: 01634 374220 or Email: alecandpat15@gmail.com
After all the hall was built by the village for the village and it would be a shame to see it close because of lack of maintenance and upkeep.
Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee.
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