The new committee running the Village Hall has appointed a sub committee of six people to liaise with the architect, grant funding bodies etc.

At this stage contact with this sub committee can be made via John R. or if not available with Ken R..

We have no fixed preferences as to whether the existing hall should be refurbished and extended or alternatively replaced with a totally new building. We are aware of the VAT advantage of a new build and if there were little difference in the cost we would obviously favour that.

There is not, as far as we are aware, any feeling in the village of wishing to keep the old hall for sentimental reasons.

We could also consider a new site entirely and whilst nothing springs to mind, other than on the playing field, this would provide a further alternative.

We take it for granted that we do not need to specify improved insulation, heating, artificial and natural lighting as they would be required by building regulations and also by grant funders.

1. Large Open Space to seat 150 to 200 people probably not to include a stage but provision of a demountable or partly demountable stage. Because the south side of the hall is alongside an access track it might be possible to avoid windows in that elevation and put some roof lights in instead. The hall must be able to be blacked out, however, for use for theatrical productions. We would like to be able to subdivide the space on a 2/3 , 1/3 basis if possible.
   
   
2. Committee Room for 20 with direct access to kitchen and toilets without going through main hall. We would like it to link into main hall by means of, perhaps, double doors or a folding screen to enable them to be used together. Soundproofing issue here?
   
   
3. Kitchen for preparation and serving of pre-cooked food and with provision for keeping a reasonably large amount of food warm. At present we have a normal domestic freestanding oven only, which is woefully inadequate. Kitchen to be of a similar size (at least) to the present and shaped to allow for central tables which are found to be preferable in this situation to the perimeter worktops. Plenty of base and wall cupboards mainly lockable.
   
   
4. Storage Area for Pre-school Playgroup toys etc. At present the pre-cast concrete addition is used for this purpose and is full. Provide at least an equivalent space.
   
   
5. External Open Space with direct access from main hall. This we would like to have in a secure position as it would be used as a playspace by the playgroup and by brownies and guides. We would like to also have it linking with the hall perhaps with large windows and with attractive paving so that it could be used in conjunction with the hall for social functions, church fetes, parties, wedding receptions etc.
   
   
6. Toilets to modern standards, disabled facilities.
   
   
7. Changing Rooms. We feel, if these are provided, they are to be adequate for the needs of the dramatic group and for people who may use the hall for badminton and the like but not, we feel, to cater for a visiting football or rugby team. It may be that if the existing hall is to be refurbished the room behind the present stage is chosen to become the changing rooms and would be convenient for the dramatic group. If this were the case the provision of one toilet in that area with separate male and female access might be possible.
   
   
8. Storage in some way for folding tables and for chairs. We are aware of the problems of achieving this especially if we have a demountable stage and hence no understage storage.
   
   
9. Heating to be zoned and responsive as possible. A physical activity such as aerobics following something requiring a warm space such as playgroup says it all.

29/03/04