St Mary's Hall Appeal
Why replace the old hall anyway?
Were any other options considered?
Is the existing church hall to be demolished?
What is going to happen to the whipping post?
Couldn’t we simply use the Grange Hall?
Why replace the old hall anyway?
For forty years St Mary’s Church has used the former Victorian village school as its Church Hall. ( Click for a history of the building's interesting and varied past.) However, the hall is becoming very dilapidated, with leaking roofs a constant worry and legal requirements for public buildings increasingly difficult to be met. It needs far more spending on it than the facilities it offers as a hall could ever justify - the rear in particular needs virtually rebuilding. Click on the pictures below to see for yourself.
Were any other options considered?
Yes. The decision was taken by the PCC (Parochial Church Council) after much prayer, thought and discussion. 4 options were considered....more
topIs the existing church hall to be demolished?
No. The PCC (Parochial Church Council) has already obtained detailed planning permission to convert the existing hall into seven dwelling units for the over 55 year olds. It does entail the demolition of the rear toilets, the kitchen, the rear room between the toilets and the large hall, and the boiler room but substantially the view of the building from the street will remain unaltered.
topWhat is going to happen to the whipping post?
This has been incorporated into the design at the request of the Borough Council. It will remain as part of the village heritage.
topCouldn’t we simply use the Grange Hall?
The new Grange Hall provides excellent facilities, especially for larger events, but both it and the old Church Hall are heavily used. The existing activities in the Church Hall could not be adequately housed at Grange Hall. The two halls will complement each other. Certainly both are needed!
topMore questions?
If you have any questions about the Appeal, please contact either the Appeal Chairman, Steve Sugden (911 0124), or the Vicar, Rev Neil Weston (933 2203), or one of the Churchwardens, whose names and phone numbers are published in LINK magazine each month.