Bridgerule Parish Hall

In 1956 The people of Bridgerule got together and built a new modern Parish hall

The people of Bridgerule are trying to do the same again!

In the 2009 Bridgerule questionnaire there was a resounding call from the majority of the people in the village to build a new hall in the same position and the hall committee is working hard to make sure they are not disappointed

There is only a small amount in the kitty at the moment and the first priorities are to ensure we have enough funds to keep the present hall standing, whilst at the same time starting work on providing a new hall for the long term

It is very necessary to look after the hall we have, as if the present users drift away we will struggle to convince anyone a new hall is needed

The faster we can make a start on the new hall the lower the expense we will have on the old hall so we hope to get going quickly

We want a new hall!

Several meetings of the hall committee have now taken place

Ken Carroll, an architect from Chilsworthy who has helped with the design of many local halls and drew the original plans for a new hall on the present site in 2004, was invited to attend two meetings and gave very interesting talks. This included a great deal of helpful advice on matters ranging from applications for grants and planning permission to the methods and costs of demolition, building and possible new uses for the new hall

Good progress has been made and a pre-planning application has already been submitted. This gave an opportunity to discuss with the planning authorities what is likely to be accepted before having to submit full plans and without the expense of seeking full planning approval

A postive reply has been received and the committee are now in the process of visiting local halls and trying to design a hall that will be welcomed by the people of Bridgerule, accepted by the planners and suitable for grant funding. Not an easy task!

Much more to come - please keep an eye on the Buzz and the website and please, please volunteer to help!

What are we hoping to do?

We have established that the land on which the hall is sited is held in trust by the Parish Council for the people of Bridgerule for the purpose of providing a site for the village hall. Some of the land outside the hall was purchased at a later date as recreational land

If we are unable to obtain grants may reluctantly have to sell some land as building sites to finance the project but we will be working as hard as we can to avoid this

We starting by re examining the idea of building a hall similar to the one at Chilsworthy as plans for this were submitted but refused in 2004. This was the least expensive option at this early stage as the plans already existed but PLEASE remember there is nothing definate yet

The committee have visited halls at Ashwater, Bradford, Chilsworthy, Bradworthy and Woolsery to try to get ideas for a new hall in Bridgerule

Thanks very much to the hosts at these halls who gave very interesting talks on the whole process
from planning, design and obtaining grants to building and managing successful new halls

It certainly seems the effort is well worthwile at the end of the day with smart new halls often running several
events at the same time in modern, warm, well insulated meeting rooms and hall areas

Click on the links to the right for some photos of our visits. You won't find some of them very exciting but we wanted a good record of what we had seen so we can go through them at our meetings

Ashwater Hall

Bradford Hall

Chilsworthy Hall

Woolsery Hall

Daffodils!

To show we mean business the first event took place within a month of the project starting!

Everyone in the village will have seen the spectacular display of daffodils in the Spring

There should be even more from next year thanks to the energetic efforts of the group in the photo, under Colin's supervision. Colin is the one standing behind everyone with the big stick

The bulb planting event and barbeque took place on Saturday 9th October with all profits from the barbeque going to the new hall fund

The event was the first in a whole series of events already planned to build up the new Parish Hall fund

40 kgs of bulbs were planted and a good day and a very good turnout made the event a real success

More photos to follow - and hopefully even more in the Spring!

Carols for Christmas!

Launceston Male Voice Choir and the children of Bridgerule School came to the hall on Wednesday 15th December for an evening of Christmas carols followed by an excellent supper

The evening was arranged and compered by Chris Hitchings in aid of the new Parish Hall fund

There was an excellent attendance and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all

In fact the children sang so well, led by 3 very brave soloists that Father Christmas himself turned up to give them some well deserved presents after the applause had died down

Thanks very much to everyone who took part or helped in any way

Easter Bingo - the new hall hits the jackpot!

Thanks very much to everyone at Hedley Wood Caravan and Camping Park for their help and hospitality with running an Easter Bingo event in aid of the the new hall fund

Members of the hall committee organised the Bingo and the draw and thanks to a good turnout of locals and holiday makers everyone had an enjoyable evening

As always Hedley Wood was an excellent venue with good food, a good bar, and was excellently decorated for the occasion

Why not give them a ring on 01288 381404 and book one of their mouth watering Sunday roasts for the family - you won't be disappointed!

Please email any comments, suggestions, news, photos or announcements to info@bridgerule.co.uk