Bradfield Village Hall

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Over recent months, the trustees have been working to strengthen the day-to-day running of the Village Hall and ensure the building is maintained, safe and sustainable for the future.

 

We are pleased to confirm that the hall’s key compliance, safety and inspection requirements are now fully up to date, together with the completion of associated remedial works identified earlier in the year. This represents a significant milestone following many months of work behind the scenes by the trustees.

 

Alongside this, practical maintenance and repair works have been taking place across the site. Following issues with drainage blockages and deterioration around the drainage chambers serving the hall, trustees recently assisted in clearing two separate blockages to keep facilities operational. We are pleased that Bradfield Parish Council has agreed to fund repair works to the drainage chambers, which will have been completed by the time you read this.

 

As well as the larger maintenance and compliance works, trustees and volunteers have also carried out a range of smaller practical improvements around the hall, including replacement and reorganisation of noticeboards and signage, general improvements to storage and organisation within the building, and a substantial clear-out of back-of-house areas. We are particularly grateful to the Scouts, who gave up their time to help with clearing and reorganising the office area, which made a huge difference. These improvements have helped make the hall feel more organised, welcoming and easier to manage for users and volunteers alike.

 

The trustees are also continuing to look ahead at longer-term improvements to the hall and its facilities. Work is progressing on proposals to refurbish the changing rooms, which remain in poor and outdated condition and are currently unsuitable for wider community use. Draft layout plans have now been prepared and submitted for initial review and feedback through Essex FA and the Football Foundation process, with encouraging responses received so far.

A significant proportion of any future funding for the project is expected to come through football-related funding routes, including the Football Foundation. However, the trustees’ wider aim is to create clean, modern and practical facilities that benefit all hall users, including community groups and activities using both the hall and recreation ground. The intention is to ensure the facilities are suitable for a much broader range of community use going forward.

 

Alongside the changing room refurbishment proposals, the trustees are also beginning to explore options for replacement and modernisation of the hall’s ageing heating and hot water systems. While the current system has passed all necessary safety inspections, it is becoming increasingly inefficient and impractical to maintain long term. The trustees are therefore beginning early planning work to consider a more modern and energy-efficient system for the longer term as part of the wider improvement programme for the building.

As part of this next stage, the trustees have agreed in principle to commission detailed design and technical plans once the refurbishment proposals are further developed. This will allow accurate costings and funding applications to be prepared for future grant opportunities.

 

The hall remains very well used throughout the week by a wide range of groups and activities, and it has been encouraging to see such positive support from residents and regular hirers.

We are also sorry to see long-standing yoga instructor Katie move on from her regular Tuesday classes at the hall as she relocates to Norwich. Katie has been part of the hall community for many years, and we know many residents will join us in wishing her all the very best for the future. We are, however, pleased that a colleague will be continuing the Tuesday evening class slot at the hall.

 

The trustees remain committed to ensuring that Bradfield Village Hall develops as a welcoming, sustainable and well-run community facility for the village. We are very grateful to everyone who supports the hall, whether through regular use, volunteering or helping behind the scenes, and we would always be pleased to hear from anyone interested in becoming involved in the future.

 

The Trustees of Bradfield Village Hall CIO