Village Hall

[Gruffalo]

Our village is looking at building a new village hall to replace an existing timber one (built in 1966). We have been shown some plans of a pre fab timber framed building which looks ok but I wondered if anyone had done/seen anything similar (or a portal frame). Approx size is going to be 30m x 9.5m x 3.5m( subject to planning) which is approx 30% bigger. Any ideas much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Archie]

Great new one put up not too far from few years ago.

Layout plan on link below.
http://www.madderty.org.uk/index.php/hire-the-hall

 

[Barleycorn]

We had a First World War army hut for our village hall, which was a bit basic but loved by the village. One year it made a £250 loss, and then the usual incomer army colonel got the bit between his teeth and started fund raising for its replacement. Well he got funds and grants, and eventually the village had enough to replace the hall. The replacement looks like a small Tesco, and as he got a bigger grant if it could be used for badminton, the acoustics are terrible. Sadly the fiver for the afternoon that would hire the old hall is now £50, and a lot of the villagers have felt unwelcome to use it.
I don't know the OPs situation, but I would make quite sure the majority of the village want a change, they may well prefer to give their old hall a spruce up.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Haddenham near Thame has a Crendon built portal village hall. Basic but very functional.
Having had much to do with the army hut type of village hall and their 'improvements' over some years I'd strongly advise avoiding any timber buildings as the fire risk is higher than most insurance companies like, and this is reflected in their annual premiums!
I'd look closely at the portal idea as this can be built in a range of materials once the basic frame is up.
Don't make it too big either as Barleycorn has said in the usage fees becoming unaffordable to the local community.
SS

 

[Gruffalo]

We had a First World War army hut for our village hall, which was a bit basic but loved by the village. One year it made a £250 loss, and then the usual incomer army colonel got the bit between his teeth and started fund raising for its replacement. Well he got funds and grants, and eventually the village had enough to replace the hall. The replacement looks like a small Tesco, and as he got a bigger grant if it could be used for badminton, the acoustics are terrible. Sadly the fiver for the afternoon that would hire the old hall is now £50, and a lot of the villagers have felt unwelcome to use it.
I don't know the OPs situation, but I would make quite sure the majority of the village want a change, they may well prefer to give their old hall a spruce up.

Quite agree, is still early days and a village meeting will be held once we have options ready. I am on committee and not convinced it is the right thing. It will cost a lot and I'm not sure it will used that much more. We need everyone pulling togetherif it is to work and that rarely happens