Mission Accomplished

The Big Refurb has been completed. After a few years of planning, hard work and fundraising by the Trustees and volunteers, the trades people have completed the works to make the hall welcoming and user friendly for the community. Add to that, the energy efficiency measures taken will help make the hall more economically viable. A lot of this took place whilst Covid 19 caused global disruption, with closures and restricted working practices. So it was wonderful on 6th August 2022 to have Roger Musgrove perform the ‘Grand Reopening’ ceremony.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU to everyone that helped to achieve this fantastic mission.

Check out the Gallery for photos of the refurbishment and carry on to read the story of the refurbishment below.

For the last couple of years plans have been in the making for a re-vamp of our Village Hall. The refurbished hall will provide a lasting legacy for future generations in the Parish.

Our Mission

To make the Village Hall more attractive, useable by everyone in the Parish and nearby villages, economically viable and energy efficient. The Hall is already a central hub and an asset in the Parish and we aim to further promote the use of the Hall to increase usage.

What We hope to Achieve

The Hall is in need of a refurbishment to bring it up to a safe, modern-day standard.

This will be done by:

  • providing an accessibility ramp and an electronic door suitable for those with disabilities and parents with young children and pushchairs

  • installation of a Stannah stairlift to allow easy access to all areas of the Hall

  • installing Velux windows in the Short Mat Bowls room to provide light and ventilation

  • providing a small meeting room

  • upgrading kitchen cupboards and worktops

  • removal of asbestos

  • installation of new oil tank

  • improving fire and smoke alarm provision as necessary

  • upgrading the bar and social area

  • upgrading the WC facilities as necessary

  • installing LED lighting throughout the building

  • replacing the boiler and thermostat

  • installation of photovoltaic solar panels

  • double glazing throughout

  • redecoration and new flooring throughout

  • new furniture throughout

  • ensuring all rooms are fit for multi-purpose use

  • installation of fire doors with vision panels

  • installing a hearing loop in the main hall

The building work is being undertaken by Bridgwater based company
Harris Brothers and Collard

Funding

We have now secured a fantastic £282,400 towards the refurbishment. Funding has been kindly awarded from the following organisations:

  • ACRE (Action for Communities in Rural England)

  • Bernard Sunley Foundation

  • Fairfield Charitable Trust

  • Garfield Weston Foundation

  • HPC Community Fund – Somerset Community Foundation

  • Norman Family Charitable Trust

  • Otterhampton Parish Council

  • Sedgemoor District Council

  • Somerset County Council Carbon Reduction Scheme

Once the hall is refurbished to a high standard and will provide a warm and welcoming venue in the Parish, the Village Hall Trustees will proactively encourage more use of the hall by local residents and businesses in the area.

Marketing

This will be done via this website, the Parish website, www.combwich.org.uk, Otter Tales magazine, Facebook and Instagram to ensure that a wide audience are aware of the excellent facilities available.

This website will offer easy online booking and provides the opportunity to share information about progress and events.

Update

After what has been a very challenging 18 months for everyone, the hall has now reopened after the lockdown and refurb.

There is still some work to be completed including the disabled ramp at the entrance and a new oil tank.

We are planning a Grand Reopening event to enable everyone to come and celebrate the refurbished hall.

For more information visit our News page and you can also view photos in the Gallery.

““What a wonderful hall we have now, a huge thank you to those who have given a large amount of their spare time to make it a village hall to be proud of.”

”
— Regular Hall User

For more news and information about the parish of Otterhampton, including the villages of Combwich, Steart and Otterhampton, please go to

www.combwich.org.uk