Slinfold Magazine item - December 2012

Slinfold Village Hall News

New Volunteers

In the October magazine, we asked for a volunteer Minutes Secretary, and in the November magazine, for volunteer Event Organisers. We are very pleased to report that we received a response to each request, and both from newcomers to the village. We have met with both and the Minutes Secretary attended our November Trustees’ Meeting.

Cinema

Several people have expressed their disappointment at the discontinuation of the Village Cinema, and we have received an offer of some help if we are able to restart it. We are investigating the possibility of having a Cinema evening in February, using one of the ‘touring cinema’ companies that visit other village halls monthly. Unfortunately, it would have to be mid-week (as the companies are already fully booked at weekends) and would likely mean running at a slight loss. Further information next month. Please volunteer if you could help in any capacity — the more help we have the more likely it is that the cinema will happen.

Other Events

We have also had preliminary discussions with our new volunteer Events Organiser about one or two other events we hope to arrange for late winter / early spring. Again, watch this space!

Fund Raising

The fortnightly Bridge Club recently arranged a Bridge Day as a fund-raising event for the Hall. It was attended by over 70 people and raised about £1,000, which we are planning to put towards new chairs. We are very grateful to Arthur Chopping and the other organisers for all the effort they put into this.

Heating

Finally, we would like to apologise that there has been the odd occasion recently when the Hall has not been as warm as we would have liked. The timer for the heating is set up to a week in advance. Weather changes and non-use over weekends can sometimes result in the Main Hall taking longer than usual to warm up — but we are addressing these issues. Hirers can help in two ways:

• First, please ensure that any changes to your bookings are notified as early as possible so that the timers can be set accordingly (and so that we do not heat an unused hall).

• Secondly, please advise us as soon as possible of any problems with the heating or any other building issue. Contact names and numbers are displayed around the building.

Contacts: Neil Peachey (Chairman) -791554,    Trevor Dayneswood (Vice-chairman) – 790374
website: slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk       Additional news & information: blog.slinfoldvillage hall.co.uk

Slinfold Parish Council Newsletter - Q4 2012

Slinfold Village Hall

Slinfold Village Hall was built in 1881 to be used for the “benefit of the inhabitants of Slinfold”. It is not owned by, nor allied to, either the Parish Council or the Church, nor does it receive any operational subsidy from either. It is an independent charity, which is maintained and run on behalf of Slinfold’s inhabitants by its Trustees — volunteers who are either representatives of the Hall’s major users, or elected by residents at the Hall’s A.G.M. each June. All of the Hall’s income — which comes solely from hire charges, gifts, and fundraising — is used in running and maintaining the Hall.

Local Use

One way in which the Trustees seek to fulfil their objective of benefitting local inhabitants is by charging reduced hire rates to local groups and local residents (for non-commercial purposes). Both the Main Hall (with modern, professionally equipped Kitchen) and the smaller Parish Room (with Kitchenette for drinks) are available for hire for regular or one-off events on this basis.

For example, hire of the Main Hall and Kitchen for up to 4 hours (morning or afternoon) for a Children’s Party costs only £30.00 for a local resident (or child who attends Slinfold School), compared with £45.00 for a non-resident.

For adult parties, receptions, etc., the Main Hall and Kitchen can be hired by local residents for a 5-hour daytime session for £55.00 and for an evening session (6:00 p.m. to midnight) for £100.00, compared with £95.00 and £130.00 respectively for non-residents.

Remember, it is your hall, and the more use it gets, the less the hourly charge needs to be for everyone.

Booking enquiries to:
Gill Morrell (Bookings Secretary) at 01403-790736 or bookings@slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk

Business Use

The Parish Room is fitted with a computer and a DVD player, both linked to a ceiling mounted projector, which can also be linked to a laptop. There is also a printer, free internet connection and WiFi. It is carpeted, and is particularly suited to presentations, discussions, and other meetings (up to 40 people) for business or social purposes.

The Main Hall is also available for business hiring, such as for exhibitions, sales, larger presentations, buffet events, and so on.

If you work for or know of a local business or organisation that might be interested in using the Hall for off-site meetings or other events, please make them aware of the facilities. (Booking enquiries as above.)

Commercial bookings help to keep the charges lower for local private and social hire.

Entertainment

Another way in which the Trustees seek to benefit the village is by arranging periodic “public entertainment” events. Unfortunately, those who have previously arranged the Village Cinema are unable to do so this season. We would, however, like to arrange some musical, theatrical or similar events for the village. The prime difficultly we currently face in this area is finding people to arrange and co-ordinate such an event. The Trustees have arranged several such events in the past, but — particularly as they are currently several members short of full complement — they do not themselves have the resources available to arrange additional events and would be grateful for one or more volunteers to help with this.

So, if you feel that you might be able to help with the arrangements in staging a “public entertainment” event at the Village Hall, we would be more than happy to hear from you. We would not leave you to do everything yourself! There are ample available dates in the Hall calendar, and we have some suggestions of performers that might be invited. We can provide contacts, ideas, guidance, advice and experience, but lack the necessary time. If you feel you might be able to help the village by assisting in this way, please contact:

Neil Peachey (Chairman) at 01403-791554 or chairman@slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk or
Trevor Dayneswood (Vice-chairman) at 01403-790374 or vice-chairman@slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk

Website: slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk      Additional news & information: blog.slinfoldvillage hall.co.uk

Slinfold Magazine item - November 2012

Slinfold Village Hall

For a number of years the Village Cinema has been held over the winter months, but unfortunately those who have previously arranged it are unable to do so this season.

The Village Hall Trustees would therefore like to arrange at least one village “public entertainment” event — musical, theatrical or similar — over the next few months. The prime difficulty we currently face in doing so is finding people to arrange and co-ordinate it. The Trustees have arranged a number of such bookings in the past, but — particularly as they are currently several members short of full complement — they do not themselves have the time available and would be grateful for one or more volunteers to help with this.

So, if you feel that you might be able to help with arranging a “public entertainment” event at the Village Hall over the next few months, we would be more than happy to hear from you. We would not leave you to do everything yourself: there are ample available dates in the Hall calendar, and we have some suggestions of performers that might be invited. We can provide contacts, ideas, guidance, advice and experience, but lack the necessary time. If you feel you might be able to help the village by assisting in this way, please contact:

Neil Peachey (Chairman) at 01403-791554 or chairman@slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk or
Trevor Dayneswood (Vice-chairman) at 01403-790374 or vice-chairman@slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk

Website: slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk      Additional news & information: blog.slinfoldvillage hall.co.uk

Slinfold Magazine item - July 2012

Slinfold Village Hall News

Caretaker

The Trustees are pleased to welcome Tim Covey into the role of Caretaker. Tim will take on responsibility for day-to-day maintenance of the Hall and will be the first point of call for any problems arising during rentals. It is great to have Tim on board, and his role will reduce the amount of volunteer effort required to run the Hall.

AGM

The 2012 AGM took place on 18th June and was relatively well-attended, generating good contributions. There will be a fuller summary of the meeting in August's magazine, but for now there are two main items to report.

Rental Rates

The AGM backed the Trustees' proposal that due to the current economic climate, and despite the Hall's running costs increasing at around 10% a year, rental rates will stay fixed for another year.

Events Group
There is a desire for more events - such as Plays, Music, Dances - to take place in the Hall. Past events have been generally successful but they do require organisation and effort. We are now looking to form an Events Group - which will be a reasonable number of people who can work with the Trustees to put on the occasional (or even regular) event in the Hall. If you are interested in a major or minor role in organising or helping please do contact us, and thank you to those who have already offered their support.

Contacts: Neil Peachey (Chairman) -791554,    Trevor Dayneswood (Vice-chairman) – 790374
website: slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk       Additional news & information: blog.slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk