Bradfield Village Hall

Since our last update, the trustees have continued working hard to rebuild and stabilise the day-to-day running of the Village Hall following the changes following the AGM.

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Much of our time over recent months has been focused on the essential work needed to ensure the hall is safe, compliant and properly managed. We are pleased to confirm that all key areas are now up to date, including insurance, fire safety and electrical inspections, with any necessary remedial works completed. A recent fire risk assessment was very positive overall, which is reassuring and reflects the work that has gone on behind the scenes.

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Alongside this, we have been putting in place new systems, agreements and processes to ensure the hall is run on a clear and sustainable footing for the future. This has involved addressing a number of long-standing issues that needed to be addressed and putting proper systems back in place and has effectively been a complete rebuild of how the hall operates. We are now in a much more stable and positive position.

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A key priority for the trustees has been to return the hall to its core purpose as a community facility for the village. We have introduced new community hire rates, including a reduced weekend rate for Bradfield residents, and have agreed updated arrangements with our regular user groups such as Scouts, Bradfield Rovers Football Club and Carpet Bowls. We are also now providing set-up support for Bradfield WI, which has been very well received.

It has been particularly encouraging to receive such positive feedback from hall users over recent weeks. The support, patience and kind comments we have received have made a real difference, and we are very grateful to everyone who has continued to use and support the hall during this period.

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Looking ahead, we have started to explore plans to improve the hall’s facilities. One of the key areas under consideration is the refurbishment of the changing rooms, which are currently in a poor and outdated condition. We have recently met with a representative from Essex FA, who provided helpful guidance on layout standards and potential funding routes, and we are now beginning to explore funding opportunities, including through the Football Foundation and other local grant providers.

This will be a significant project, involving a full redesign of the space, improved layout, and modernisation of the hall’s heating and hot water systems. The aim is to create facilities that are suitable not only for football but also for wider community use, ensuring they are clean, modern and fit for purpose for all users of the hall and recreation ground.

We are in the early stages of developing these plans and will provide further updates as the project progresses.

 

It’s also been great to see the hall being used socially as well as for regular activities. Our Friday night Pizza & Pint evenings continue to grow in popularity, with more people from the village coming along each week. It’s been lovely to see families, friends and neighbours of all ages coming together, with children playing and people simply enjoying time together - exactly what the hall is there for.

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Looking ahead, we are planning to hold a Village Fête on 1st August and a Christmas Fair on 12th December, and we hope these will become well-supported community events. Our aim is to return to a more traditional village style, with simple, informal activities - the sort of things people associate with a village fête - and an opportunity for people to come along and enjoy the day together.

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As always, we welcome feedback from residents and hall users, and we remain committed to ensuring that Bradfield Village Hall is a welcoming, well-run and sustainable community asset for the future. We would also be very pleased to hear from anyone who might like to get involved, whether by volunteering or supporting events.

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The Trustees of Bradfield Village Hall CIO