Last December saw completion of a comprehensive refurbishment of the Hall, the culmination of many years fund raising by the Committee.  In common with other village groups, funds were enhanced substantially by very generous contributions from the late Stephen Sampson by way of both gift and legacy.

Following re-roofing and the new porch which were completed two years ago, the latest works began in September with replacement of the original window frames.  In place of these old frames, with their leaded lights redolent of the 1930s and in very poor condition due to extensive wet rot, there are now high quality double glazed fitments.  In addition, with a view to optimising use of the site, French windows now provide direct access from the Hall to grassed area at the rear.

A central consideration in carrying out the works has been to achieve the highest possible standards of insulation and energy efficiency.  Removal of old plaster on external walls to expose the brickwork was followed with a lining of high efficiency insulation and plaster board.  The fibrous board ceiling, of frighteningly lightweight construction, concealed the original lath and plaster attached to the timber roof structure.  The latter is still in place but there is now a new ceiling with proper supporting structure, again heavily insulated.  To reduce not insignificant heat loss through the suspended timber floor, insulation is inserted between the joists and a new laminate floor covering laid, the latter intended for the most demanding public environment.

Minor alterations in the vestibule area allow for better utilisation of space, with a disabled toilet facility and lockable storage.  Sanitary fittings have been replaced, as has the heating system.

Major investment in the kitchen has brought about a striking improvement with a more extensive range of cupboards and worktops, double + half sinks, separate hand sink, refrigerator, gas hob and electric oven.

In reaching this stage, where what we have is little short of a new building, there has over many years been a sustained fund raising effort by members of the Hall Management Committee.  This was the catalyst which allowed planning and initiation of the improvements, with the subsequent generosity of Mr Sampson bringing about the profound improvements we can now enjoy.  The Hall is a testament to his kindness and consideration and it is the intention to record this also in a tangible form for the benefit of Hall users in the years to come.

Acknowledgement is also made of Miss Mary Bloxham's generosity in meeting the cost of the new Hall floor.  Her interest here goes back a long way - her late father was very active in raising funds for the building of the original Hall in the early 1930s!

The recent phase of the works as described above has been carried out most ably by local firm Property Maintenance Services, i.e. Simon Pill; the actual time during which it was necessary to close the Hall to users was just over two months.  Though not readily quantifiable, the net result of the basis on which Simon charged for his work equates to a very generous contribution towards the cost.  We received excellent service and gained further benefit from discounts on materials from Fairfield Builders of Buxton.  Final thanks go to Andy Barlow for his voluntary work in helping with decoration,

With the Hall in such a pristine state it was disheartening when, on Christmas Eve, the extreme weather resulted in the bursting of a mains-pressured pipe (well insulated so it was thought) situated above the Hall ceiling.  A large area of plasterboard was brought down and water saturated the ceiling as a whole plus the light fittings.  Fortunately the immediate effects of the deluge were soon dealt with by a small group who responded so promptly and willingly.

Sadly, the entire plaster boarding so recently fixed had to be stripped and replaced, with new light-fittings and ceiling and walls re-decorated, necessitating erection of steel scaffolding over the full floor area to provide a working platform.  Thanks to Simon's supreme efforts this work was completed by the sixth working day of the New Year, and happily the cost was met by the insurer; it is now business as usual.