The Challenge
Maisemore near Gloucester only has about 200 homes. But
faced with the prospect of maintaining its existing Second World
War timber village hall or completely rethinking the options,
the community decided to aim high.
Now
it has a 21st century multi-use hall to be proud of.
It
opened six years ago on a former field close to the original
hall and boasts a full-size stage, badminton court, fully equipped
kitchen, two meeting rooms, state of the art lighting and sound
equipment and, outside, a multi purpose playing field area.
Not
only have the traditional village hall users supported the new-look
hall, its forward-thinking design is appealing to new users
all the time.
Developing
the idea
John Williams, chair of the Village Hall committee for the past
10 years, says a survey which looked at all the options showed
a new hall was needed.
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| Maisemore
Village Hall is now a multi-use venue |
"Our
thinking was that we should get the very best and to build something
for future generations which offered something for everyone,"
he said.
A
complicated deal was agreed whereby the site of the old village
hall was sold to developers for housing with the developer agreeing
to build the new village hall on farm land 200 feet away.
A
battle with Tewkesbury Borough Council over the number of houses
which could be built was eventually won, making the land value
sufficient to cover the cost of the new hall.
Making
it happen
"A
local architect drew up plans for the housing as well as for
the village hall, on the basis that if we got planning permission,
he would be paid by the developers," reports John.
"That
was extremely useful to us, and ensured we got the design we
wanted.
 |
| Maisemore
now has a village hall to be proud of |
"We
also had to do some delicate negotiations to move the War Memorial
from outside the old village hall.
"We
got a £50,000 grant from the Arts Council Lottery to help pay
for an extra room, lighting, sound system and first class electronic
piano, and a Sports Aid Foundation grant for developing the
multi-use outdoor area.
"Although
we had no badminton club in the village, we agreed the hall
should have a full size court and now people of all ages play
regularly."
People
representing all sorts of local groups are now using the hall
regularly. There has been a slight rent increase with no effect
on bookings, and plans for the future include adult education
classes, weddings and small conferences.
Key
tips
