The Welney Website
Welney Parish Hall
page created Apr 2005, amended/updated Monday, 19 September 2011
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The Hall has been refurbished on several occasions, the last major works being carried out in the mid-1980s. That may have been when an extra section was added at the front to provide toilets. (Compare top photo c2000, with the 1929 one below it). Some strengthening of the floor supports was made in the early 2000s. The exterior has grey profiled-metal cladding on the walls, and a grey felt roof. The interior is a little more attractive, being mostly clad with tongue and groove timber painted cream and light blue. Overall, the building has a floor area of 156.5m2, or 1,684sq.ft. At the rear is a kitchen, with a store room beyond.
The Hall is available for private hire, and is licenced for public entertainment (dancing, singing and music) for up to 99 people. The main hall is 18.3m x 5.6m (59½ft x 18½ft) including a stage, and bar area. Other facilities include a large kitchen, and a baby changing unit. The building is accessible by wheelchairs via a removable ramp, but there are no toilet facilities for wheelchair users at present. Ample off-road car parking is available on both sides of the building, but disabled users should use the parking area in front of the Hall or along the river bank to avoid the steps up from the main car park which is provided courtesy of Elgood's Brewery.
All booking enquiries should be made to Parish Clerk and Hall Licencee, Mrs P.A.Copeman, tel 01354 610 226.
The original minutes book (held with others by the Parish Clerk) covered the period 1929 to 1962. The first page is headed “Welney Parochial Hall”, perhaps reflecting the fact that the Chairman was a clergyman, the Rev. H.H. Wilford. The other officers were H. Kimmons (the village postman) as Hon.Treasurer, and C.H. Ray (the schoolmaster) as Hon.Secretary. Thereafter, the building is referred to variously as the “Parish Hall”, “The Hall” and occasionally as the “Village Hall”. Despite suggestions that it had been originally named “Memorial Hall”, in memory of those in the Parish that served, and in some cases died, in the 1914-1918 war there is no reference to that in any of the archives.
In 2002 the the independent Committee running the Hall engaged an architect to draw plans and apply for planning permission for a new Hall whilst dealing with a number of financial irregularities. In February 2003 they were forced to resign as a result of those actions and were replaced by a newly formed sub-committee of the Parish Council. That committee also resigned, but this time voluntarily, at the end of 2004 because of lack of support from the Parish Clerk. In March 2005 the Council, who are also the Hall trustees, decided to take full control and run the Hall without a management committee. Details of the financial concerns and reports and minutes of both resignations and other meetings can be seen via the link at bottom of page.
The Hall receives no subsidies or grants. Until 2005 the only cost to local rate-payers was the annual rent, which in 2004 was a mere £178 a year, paid by the Parish Council. All other expenses were paid by the Hall Committees from revenue. The various Committees that looked after the Hall for more than 75 years prior to the Council taking direct control in 2005, supplemented the fees received from users of the Hall by fund-raising events throughout the year, such as annual tub races and water galas, Christmas Fayres, bingo, lotteries and the 100-club. It ought to be noted that despite the problems that besetted the last two committees, they raised nearly £15,000 for the Hall funds and provided a good deal of social enjoyment and inter-action; and members of the last committee also initiated and were instrumental in organising the highly successful 2004 Gala at the playing field which raised nearly £4,000 for new play equipment for children. Both sums are now in the hands of the Parish Council.
The Council took over the 100-club but allowed it to lapse and they have not organised any other fund raising events so the only income now is from hire charges which appear to be diminishing. The Health Centre's weekly surgery and the CAB's monthly advice surgery have been withdrawn and the Womens Institute now meet elsewhere to save costs. Perhaps even more upsetting than the lack of fund-raising is the almost total lack of public social activities.
According to the caption of this cutting from a 1929 press report, the ceremony of "unlocking the door" was performed by Mrs Townley, who was accompianed by her husband, Rev Charles (?) Townley of Fulbourn Manor.
Mrs Townley is seated in the front, holding a bouquet. On her right is Mrs Wilford, wife of the Rector of Welney, Rev H.H.Wilford; beside her is Mrs H Kimmons who "has worked indefatigably for the cause". The days proceedings concluded with a dance.
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Acknowledgements and Sources: text & photos by the Webmaster |
In June 2006 the Parish Council gave a presentation at the Parish Hall of their plans for a new Community Centre to replace the current hall and Pavilion, see link on right.
| related pages on this website |
| Minutes of meetings, & reports |
| proposed new Community Hall |
| Playing Field & Pavilion |
| Parish Council |
| related pages on other websites |