Help us protect the future of our village hall

 For more than 100 years, All Saints and District Village Hall has been at the heart of community life, providing a welcoming space for local groups, activities, celebrations and events.

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Thanks to the support of our community, volunteers and supporters, we have recently completed a number of important improvements, including refurbishing the hall floor, upgrading the car park, installing a new accessible toilet and carrying out extensive decorating and maintenance works.

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However, a recent structural survey has identified urgent problems with the building's drainage and retaining wall that now require significant investment. ​Without action, these issues could lead to further structural damage and much higher repair costs in the future. That's why we're asking for your support today. ​

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Urgent safety works planned for 2027 

To understand the condition of our hall and plan responsibly for the future, we commissioned a full professional survey of our building and surrounding infrastructure.

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The findings confirmed two serious concerns that require urgent attention.

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Tackling water damage and drainage problems

The survey identified significant drainage issues at the front of the hall. Because of the steep slope leading towards the entrance, rainwater is being channelled directly towards the building via the existing steps and paved areas. During periods of heavy rainfall, the drains frequently become blocked with leaves and debris and the drains are therefore unable to cope with the volume of water. 

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Over time, this has created a number of problems beneath and around the hall building, including a fractured drain causing leaks, increased maintenance costs, as well as conditions for structural movement. The survey suggests that our drainage issues could also be contributing to ground movement and worsening the subsidence affecting the rear right-hand corner of the hall near the kitchen. ​If left unresolved, these problems will continue to worsen, putting our hall at greater risk and increasing the cost of future repairs.

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To address this, need to redesign the entrance area, improve water management and install new external drains that will safely divert surface water away from the existing fractured drain under the hall and into a ditch alongside the property. At the same time, we will install new non-slip paving, creating a safer and more accessible entrance for everyone who uses the hall.

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Rebuilding the rear retaining wall

The survey also confirmed that the retaining wall at the rear of our car park is failing and requires urgent reconstruction.

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This wall performs a critical structural function by retaining the surrounding ground and helping to protect the stability of the site. Without intervention, there is a risk of further deterioration, damage to the car park and potentially wider consequences for the hall itself, including potential structural and Health and Safety issues.

 Rebuilding the retaining wall is an essential investment in the safety and long-term future of our hall.

 

Other important hall improvements

Alongside these urgent structural works, we are also hoping to complete several smaller projects that will improve the hall for users and reduce future running costs.

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These include:

1. Replacing our ageing gas cooker, which now requires frequent repairs, with a modern energy-efficient induction cooker.

2. Replacing worn curtains and curtain tracks that are becoming increasingly difficult to operate and are starting to deteriorate.

3. Continuing to make improvements that keep the hall welcoming, attractive and fit for modern community use.

 

Why we need your help

Like most village halls, we operate on a very tight budget.

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Income from hall hire allows us to cover our day-to-day running costs such as heating, electricity, insurance, cleaning and routine maintenance. But what it cannot do is generate the many thousands of pounds needed for major structural repairs and building improvements.

 

The reality is simple. Without investment, these problems will not go away. They will become more serious, more costly and more disruptive in the future. ​We are aiming to begin the urgent safety works around Easter 2027 to minimise disruption to our users, but we cannot achieve this alone.

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We need your support​