VILLAGE HALL REPORT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024
As the leaves change colour and start to fall as summer turns to Autumn, we can finally see that work has started on our ‘corridor project’. This will enable hall users to enter the Jubilee room without disturbing anyone in the main hall and accessing the toilets will be easier from the smaller rooms without walking through the main hall. In addition, there will be a ramp and automatic doors at the entrance when the project is complete, hopefully by the end of October/early November. Much is being made about the style and appearance of the new entrance door. The aesthetics need to be appealing and welcome the visitor to the Hall.
The programme of improvements to the Hall also includes painting the interior, a new set of bi-fold doors for the Jubilee room and new stage lighting. All these projects will be funded from grants and fundraising successfully secured by the Trustees.
An upgrade to the Hall’s broadband capacity has been installed resulting in supporting more concurrent workers in the Hall using Wi-Fi. We are looking at the investment of ramping up the rollout across the whole Hall for more users.
The Hall has also been approached by Northumberland Community Energy Ltd (NCEL) to establish if the installation of solar panels and a battery storage system could bring significant benefits to the community. A survey of the Hall is required, and I will be bringing further news of progress on this initiative in the next report.
The Trustees are also keen to gain Hallmark which is an initiative run by Community Action Northumberland (CAN). This is a quality scheme for the management of the Hall which signifies that the Hall is complying with its’ charitable status. One of the benefits of Hallmark is that it provides funders with a benchmark for a well-managed Hall.
At the AGM in June, most of the Trustees were re-elected which was good news for the continuity of the Hall. Jill Armstrong, Roy Molyneux and the Rev Simon White were appointed as Trustees and were warmly welcomed by the management team. The full list of Trustees is as follows:
Sandra Dickinson - Chair
Ron Blyth – Vice Chair
Phil Richardson - Treasurer
Sue Thompson - Secretary
Malcolm Scott
Mark Truby
Christine Scott
Jill Armstrong
Roy Molyneux-Dickinson
Rev. Simon White
Events on the horizon include the Marty Craggs Little Jam Band Halloween Spectacular on Saturday 2nd November 7pm-11.30pm. Tickets are £25 which includes Fish ‘n’ Chips, a raffle for the best Halloween costume and a great evening of classic songs from across the decades. Tickets can be obtained from Malcolm or Christine on 01670 789485.
This year’s St. Nicholas Fayre will be held on Saturday 7th December. Church members will organise a raffle, there will be a Tombola and a charge of £10 per table. The WI will do Xmas crafts for children and of course Santa will be on hand with presents for the children.
Soup and Cake makes a welcome return in October, every Friday 12-2pm in the Village Hall, come along for a warm welcome, good homemade food and great company.
Coffee morning is on the first Wednesday every month 10.30-12noon. Good company and a fun raffle every month.
If you have any comments or concerns regarding the Village Hall, please contact secretary@stanningtonvillagehall.org in the first instance or pop a note into our letterbox.
For bookings or to check availability simply go to our website.