The future of the New Village Hall is in your hands - Janet Hughes (Chair)
Date: 24th February 2010

We need to ensure the future of this project
for us and our children.

Money donated: week 1: £1092.00 week 2: £1340.00 week 3: £3050.00 Total: £5482.00

Week 4: £????.??

There has been a great response from you and we thank you for your support. Plus a big thank you to James Hollingsworth, Nigel Greenwood and Hedley Cornwell for speedily getting the forms into last months Barcombe News for me. If you have not sent your envelope back yet there is still time! Cheques payable to : Barcombe Village Hall.

This community project is so close to starting. I’m sure there are a few who cannot believe this is actually happening and therefore are unsure of donating at this stage, but would like to help. You can let us know in the form of a pledge. Send back your envelope from last month’s barcombe news with how much you would like to “pledge donate” or for further information turn to the relevant page in this barcombe news regarding how to donate.

To enhance facilities in this village means ongoing community vibrancy and that’s what makes a place attractive to live in. Barcombe is a unique and “off the beaten track” village in this modern world that we live in. We need a new hall to accommodate our growing village and to give the community a working building to be proud of and to use, plus a new extended path to the new hall will aid safe access.

There are so many reasons to support it:

A place to work in... meet in… hold receptions in… cater in… celebrate in…
watch plays in… join clubs at… park at.. an amazing view right up to Ashdown Forest
…a safe environment for… accommodating everyone’s needs for...for what?

For you!

Watch this space in next month’s edition for the final decision.

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General Update - Janet Hughes (Chair)
Date: 20th January 2010

As Dilys has written below, the open day was completely packed.  It was a great opportunity for us to fulfil the “Who, What, Why, When and Where” criteria and for you to have your say regarding the old and the new hall.  We appreciated the suggestions from those of you who took the time to fill in the comments book and they will be fed back at the next meeting.  If you would still like to suggest, comment or donate you do this via this web site.

We have analysed all the bids and tenders and have come to a unanimous decision to go with the building company, Taskers. We had to take into account the best value for the old hall and the new hall.  The company will be building the new one and purchasing the old one by degrees (stage payments will be reduced pro rata). This was backed up by you at the meeting with a unanimous “for” vote. 

We are in a good position right now!  Builders are looking for work during this quiet economic time and also want to be seen to deliver more green sustainable buildings.  It is in our interest to act now whilst we have a good price. The design process is going on and will be completed up to a building control level by mid February, this is when we are ready to start and also in line with the builders’ offer.
We are currently ticking all the right boxes for grant applications, and have just learnt of a grant of £10,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation but we do need donations.  By you donating we can also claim back 23% from gift aid thus giving us more money to reach the final target figure of £875,661.
This month is crucial to this project and we will keep you updated accordingly.

It’s now down to you!
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Funding update - Nigel Greenwood (Treasurer)
Date: 16th January 2010

We continue to be indebted to you all working hard to raise funds:

£292 - Share of log proceeds from Knowlands Farm
£100 - Donor cheque
£22.50 - Mistletoe from shop
£110.60 - Village hall raffle
£75.80 - Village hall cakes
£21.00 - Village hall card sales (Mary Hulks)
£295.49 - Donations via the web site to date
£817.19 Total

*82% of the money has been raised so far.  We need to raise the other 18%.  Our challenge is to close the gap.  The committee is working on behalf of you to find grants and fundraise.  You can help by donating too.  We need to raise the 160k NOW! The builders’ tender offer expires on the 22nd February 2010.

* This is including a grant for 50k that we should hear about very soon.
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Village Hall Open Day - Dilys Scan (Main Committee Chair)
Date: 09th January 2010

The Open Morning turned into a lively social event. Far from keeping everyone away, the wintry weather brought you out in your hundreds (well one hundred at least). Many thanks to all who made the effort – the old Village Hall is not the most inviting venue on a freezing cold Saturday morning though the mulled wine did ease the pain!
Congratulations to Stuart, the architect, who, with a little help from quantity surveyor, Julian, in his 4x4, managed the journey from London. Though minus the promised models, not possible on the train, the latest plans & material samples were there for all to see.
Thanks also to the stall holders who set out amazing presentations of their clubs’ activities. The Garden Club, Men's Club, Playgroup, Players, Scouts & W.I. were all there. Nigel, the New Hall Treasurer, kept everyone informed as to the financial state of the project while Jim gave facts & figures about possible future grants & the business plan for the new hall.
Refreshments & a raffle were on offer. The food and prizes contributed by committee members, their friends (and victims) were greatly appreciated.
The history of the Old Hall plus an account of various efforts to build a new hall, starting in 1969 (YES 1969!) were on display. Also a painting of the Old Hall by Don Hulks donated by Mary, his widow, perfect to hang in the entrance of the New Hall. She also donated greetings cards, taken from Don's paintings, to be sold in aid of the project, making £25 for the fund.
At 11.30 with at least 100 residents in attendance the following resolution put to the vote "This meeting confirms the decision of Barcombe Village Hall Management Committee to sell Barcombe Village Hall, High Street, Barcombe and to use the proceeds of this sale as part payment for the construction of a new hall on a site at Cobbs Mead, Barcombe Mills Road, Barcombe". The vote by show of hands was unanimously in favour. With this result we are now in a position to seek permission from the Charity Commissioners to go ahead with the sale.
All we need now is to bridge the funding gap. We have raised more than three-quarters of the money needed but much of this is only available when we actually start to build, some of this must be used within a year from now.
Don't let the project fall by the wayside for a fourth time.
Rack your brains for brilliant fund raising ideas, chase up your rich uncle & dig deep into your pockets to make the New Hall a reality.
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£25,000 from Viridor Credits!
Date: 11th November 2009

Good news! The committee is delighted to announce that we have been awarded £25,000 (net) from the Landfill Communities Fund from Viridor Credits. This is money that Viridor would otherwise pay as Landfill Tax on rubbish it disposes of at its landfill sites. We are eligible because Barcombe is within a five-mile radius of the landfill site at Beddingham (which is now closed so the money will soon dry up – we applied in the nick of time!). The grant has been earmarked to pay for the turf roof and fitting out the kitchen in the new hall.

We also have an outstanding application to Biffa, who run the Burgess Hill landfill site. We hope to hear about that grant early in the New Year.

Meanwhile, the bids for the purchase of the old hall and the tenders for building the new hall will be opened early in November.
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From the BNVH chair Janet Hughes
Date: 14 October 2009

1. Aim of project
   The aim is to build a sustainable multi-useable hall for everyone that also meets the needs and requirements of the users. To ensure we got this right, feedback forms were given to all users and a meeting was held with Satellite Architects. “A very long meeting but a very important one”. We now have finished detailed plans that you can view on the web site or at our open day (date to be decided).
2. The Old Hall
   “Not an easy challenge but a very necessary one”. The sale of the existing hall is a linchpin in raising money for the New Hall. Jackie Cornwell is leading her team with the aid of Rafe, Nick and Dilys. They are ensuring all legal requirements are met. We have to ensure the best possible deal for the community within Charity Commission regulations.
3. Quantity Surveyor
   We have employed Julian Church & Associates from Worthing who are also acting as our “employers agent”. They have done a cost plan study ready to tender.
4. Tenders
   We are seeking tenders from construction companies experienced and capable of building the new hall with the added option of undertaking the conversion of the old hall. Our committee is conscious that any resident of the village or others may also bid to buy the old hall and we are committed to reviewing all bids fairly.
5. Time Frame for project
   Once the tenders come back, we will decide what is best for the project and the Quantity Surveyor (Julian Church) will analyse and ensure the bids are bona fide and compliant with our requirements. The committee will discuss with the quantity surveyor the most favourable option and the tender will be approved. It is planned that in early 2010 the successful construction company shall start the build.
6. How do we meet the target figure?
   Fundraising, donations, pledges, sale of the old hall and grants. Janet Dickson has put together a business plan that will be available on line soon. She has managed to get us through two first stages regarding some hefty grants.  One grant applied for is up to £50,000 and another up to £25,000. It would be wonderful if we get these. Jim Skinner has recently come onto the committee and has been aiding the users with grants that will enhance their clubs’ use in the new hall. For instance the lighting and sound systems in the old hall would not be adequate. It’s a great opportunity for the users to upgrade all their equipment and bring it into the 21st Century.