Grendon Village Hall
Chairman’s annual report – March 2020
We had an extremely successful year in 2019.
Hall bookings were 48% up on 2018 and for the first time since 2015 hall income has covered our monthly costs. This is also the largest annual income from booking since 2014. All the hard work on refurbishing and improving the hall has paid off in attracting many ne hirers. We now have two additional new weekly yoga classes, one being for special needs, and bookings for private functions have increased considerably. All of our users have commented on how pleasant the hall is.
During 2019 we redecorated the interior, installed new window blinds, refloored the kitchen and refurbished the store room and lobby. We have also cleared the ground along by the kitchen and loos. Just the roof left to bring up to scratch, future fund raising events will contribute to this.
On the fund-raising front we held our third very successful Barn Dance, selling out of tickets long before the event again. Dancing was held in the hall with the live band, Kelly’s Eye, on the stage. Outside on the grass area we erected two marquees (thank you to Ian Denton for the main one) and a number of gazebos for the eating area. The hall and outside area were decorated with hay bales and bunting to bring an authentic feel to the evening. The catering was done by the committee so a very big thankyou to Pauline, Angie and Maureen. We are holding another Barn Dance this year which will be on Saturday 20rd June and the live band will again be Kelly’s Eye. So please make a note in your diary and remember tickets sell out fast.
In September we had Race Night back again and it was very well attended with much cheering the horses along.
Following in October we had a most interesting History night. Villagers came along and were able to see many old photographs, maps and pieces of local memorabilia. At the end of the evening there was the very popular question time with our panel of experts: Ann Benady, Richard Blackleey, Margaret Liddle and Eileen Wilman. Many members of the audience joined in and enjoyed reminiscing with the panel about the “old days” in Grendon.
Altogether our social events brought in over £2,600 last year.
The “Place to Meet” regular monthly coffee mornings continue to be a great success. It is extremely satisfying to see so many villagers enjoying getting together socially, whatever the weather.
We have a number of regular hall users including village associations - WI, Age Concern, St Mary’s Church and the Parish Council. The hall is also used for regular classes for Yoga, Pilates and Oil painting. The hall can be hired for private functions including parties and receptions.
We are looking forward to another successful year.
I would like to say a very big thankyou to all of the 2019 committee for their sterling work – Pauline and Trevor, John and Maureen, Yvonne and Paul and of course Angie.
I would also like to thank Jan Munns for her hard work keeping the hall spotless, Jan has been with us now for about five years, and Peter Bailey for mowing the grass.
Bill Hillier, Chairman
Chairman’s annual report – March 2020
We had an extremely successful year in 2019.
Hall bookings were 48% up on 2018 and for the first time since 2015 hall income has covered our monthly costs. This is also the largest annual income from booking since 2014. All the hard work on refurbishing and improving the hall has paid off in attracting many ne hirers. We now have two additional new weekly yoga classes, one being for special needs, and bookings for private functions have increased considerably. All of our users have commented on how pleasant the hall is.
During 2019 we redecorated the interior, installed new window blinds, refloored the kitchen and refurbished the store room and lobby. We have also cleared the ground along by the kitchen and loos. Just the roof left to bring up to scratch, future fund raising events will contribute to this.
On the fund-raising front we held our third very successful Barn Dance, selling out of tickets long before the event again. Dancing was held in the hall with the live band, Kelly’s Eye, on the stage. Outside on the grass area we erected two marquees (thank you to Ian Denton for the main one) and a number of gazebos for the eating area. The hall and outside area were decorated with hay bales and bunting to bring an authentic feel to the evening. The catering was done by the committee so a very big thankyou to Pauline, Angie and Maureen. We are holding another Barn Dance this year which will be on Saturday 20rd June and the live band will again be Kelly’s Eye. So please make a note in your diary and remember tickets sell out fast.
In September we had Race Night back again and it was very well attended with much cheering the horses along.
Following in October we had a most interesting History night. Villagers came along and were able to see many old photographs, maps and pieces of local memorabilia. At the end of the evening there was the very popular question time with our panel of experts: Ann Benady, Richard Blackleey, Margaret Liddle and Eileen Wilman. Many members of the audience joined in and enjoyed reminiscing with the panel about the “old days” in Grendon.
Altogether our social events brought in over £2,600 last year.
The “Place to Meet” regular monthly coffee mornings continue to be a great success. It is extremely satisfying to see so many villagers enjoying getting together socially, whatever the weather.
We have a number of regular hall users including village associations - WI, Age Concern, St Mary’s Church and the Parish Council. The hall is also used for regular classes for Yoga, Pilates and Oil painting. The hall can be hired for private functions including parties and receptions.
We are looking forward to another successful year.
I would like to say a very big thankyou to all of the 2019 committee for their sterling work – Pauline and Trevor, John and Maureen, Yvonne and Paul and of course Angie.
I would also like to thank Jan Munns for her hard work keeping the hall spotless, Jan has been with us now for about five years, and Peter Bailey for mowing the grass.
Bill Hillier, Chairman
