Tolleshunt D’Arcy Village Hall
The Current Position regarding the Village Hall
Following a parish-wide survey commissioned by the Parish Council and conducted by the Rural Community Council for Essex (RCCE) which was reported in May 2018, the Parish Council confirmed a desire for a new or refurbished village hall. On 1st April 2019, the new Tolleshunt D’Arcy Village Hall Charity Trust was established with 7 local Trustees to formally take on the responsibility of continuing to run the current village hall and do what was needed to rebuild or refurbish the current hall.
The initial estimate of the cost by the Architect of the necessary surveys, the demolition of the current hall, clearing the site, and building a new hall was in the region of £700,000. A year later, because of issues caused by the Covid pandemic, the sum needed had risen to £870,000.
A full and detailed bid (31 pages) was submitted to The National Lottery for the sum of £870,000. The bid met every requirement specified by The Lottery for their ‘Reaching Communities Grants’, but it was unsuccessful.
As the hall started to open after the pandemic, the Trustees undertook to reconsider the approach to demolishing the current Village Hall with a phased refurbishment. The Trustees also undertook to smarten up the current hall to improve its condition for hall users – this work is underway.
At the Trustee Management Committee meeting in October 2022, a report was presented that set out the current situation regarding the Village Hall and the potential costs increases from the estimated £870,000 brought about by the current economic situation and world events are likely to be between 20% to 30% higher (£1.04 million to £1.1 million). This reaffirmed the decision to refurbish.
The Main Hall, Rear Extension & Amenity Block (Kitchen, Post Office and Toilets) All need increased levels of insulation to the floors, walls and ceiling. External doors and windows need to be replaced with new triple-glazed PVC frames. The void space between the Post Office and the Main Hall should be infilled to form a new Post Office, Storage Space and Servery to the Main Hall. Externally Finishes to the building, play area and car park need to be replaced.
It will be necessary to consult with an Architect, Services Consultant, Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager to determine the refurbishment options.
It is accepted that there is a long way to go to achieve the funding needed but the Trustees are optimistic, enthusiastic, and determined to get the funding needed to provide a phased approach to a refurbishment.
Robert Morgan, Chair of the Village Hall Trust, said, “We need the continued support of the whole community to continue with our quest to provide an outstanding refurbished Village Hall for the people of Tolleshunt D’Arcy and surrounding villages. The Trustees are committed to make this happen please give your help by supporting events and recognising that the decision to refurbish is the only sensible way forward”.
2nd November 2022
The Tolleshunt D’Arcy Village Hall Trust
For the full report, please click here