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The existing hall opened in 1929.
We are pleased to announce that fund-raising efforts and donations have raised over £30,000 in aid of the New Village Hall project. This has enabled us to purchase the site, fence it and make a significant start on the planning necessary for construction.
We realise that some parishioners may not be fully aware of the history of the New Village Hall project, so here is a potted history.
Denbury Parish Hall is a registered Charity governed by its own constitution and is the largest voluntary agency in the village. Currently it has 20 trustees overseeing the old Hall and the new project, these villagers all work on a voluntary basis only.
The Church Commissioners own the site of the current hall and when the lease expires they will be obliged to charge us a commercial rent. This will put the hiring costs of the hall beyond the resources of our current users. The lack of remaining lease also means that we will not be able to apply for Rural Aid Grants. These are our mainstay as government legislation requires us to continually upgrade facilities within the hall. The building is nearly 80 years old and not designed for the rigours of 21st century life.
An extensive report of village needs, based on the Village Appraisal questionnaire, confirmed an overwhelming desire to proceed with a new hall, and the hall committee were tasked with developing a new building after consultation with the Parish Council.
Negotiations were undertaken with a number of landowners to identify potential sites and we consulted with the District Valuer to get best value for public money. We also visited other new halls to gain the best ideas for designing our new building, some of the committee went for training with the Council for Voluntary Service, liaising with local funding agencies and users of the existing hall.
Plans were developed and shared with the community so that adjustments could be made prior to planning permission being granted by Teignbridge District Council.
On completion of purchase of the site, the cost of fencing required by the landowner and the legal costs were secured by an interest free loan from Teignbridge. The trustees are responsible and accountable for the loan and we hope to extend it so that we can continue to develop the site, whilst fundraising continues.
The current hall is no longer eligible for maximum Rural Aid grants, and there is much work to be done. The School and the Playgroup will be major users of the new hall and they are desperate for the new facilities that we hope to provide, so we need to continue fundraising and asking for your support for this project.
If you have any queries about the current hall or the new project, please do contact us directly, so that we can help you, or, if you would like to offer help to us we would be most grateful. Write to Thurston Head our Secretary, New Village Hall Committee, Shute House, Denbury or contact me on 01803 812535.
Vic Cornell
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