Wanborough Village Hall Transformed As Fully Accessible Venue

Published on: 1 Aug, 2021
Updated on: 1 Aug, 2021

Wanborough Village Hall has been transformed during lockdown with a new ramp and porch and refurbished toilets.

The hall’s trustees say the £35,000 needed for the works were raised after a fantastic response to the Access For All campaign from the 30-odd households that make up the hamlet of Wanborough.

Wanborough Village Hall before and after the refurbishment.

Trustee Mary Adkins said: “Just about everyone in the village got behind the plan and we were determined that better access wouldn’t be achieved at the expense of the hall’s enormous charm.”

Built in 1911, the hall is in the Wanborough Conservation Area along a farm track next to the Grade II-listed St Bartholomew’s Church.

Wanborough Village Hall community coming together in the Heritage Café. From left: Mary Adkins, chair and trustee of the village hall; Olwen Wilson, resident and Wanborough Barn committee member; with other volunteers.

Mary said the design of the hall always offered visitors an attractive welcome and the interior’s homely atmosphere was “more akin to a private sitting room than a run-of-the-mill community centre”.

She said they were “delighted but not surprised” by the response to the campaign from local people. Many in the village made personal donations and events, such as a quiz and supper night and a sponsored winter walk, were sold out.

All hands on chairs! In the foreground, Stephen Callender, chairman of the Wanborough Barn committee, with the hose and a smiling David Wilson, financial officer for the hall.

Local groups, including the Puttenham Fireworks Committee and the Wanborough and Puttenham Community Fund, gave generously and there were substantial grants and donations from Wanborough Parish Council and the borough and county councils.

To celebrate the upgraded hall, the committee is giving use of the hall, free of charge, to the lucky winner of the Wanborough Great Barn Free Wedding Venue competition.

Mary Adkins said they were looking forward to welcoming hirers, old and new. She added: “The fully refurbished, accessible hall is perfect for groups to meet, exercise, pursue their hobbies and celebrate those big events with family and friends.”

The hall will be open during this year’s Heritage Days when the Heritage Café will be also be open. Mary said: “Wanborough will be out in force the ensure everyone has a wonderful experience in their village.”

To find out more about Wanborough Village Hall, visit: https://www.hallshire.com/halls/view/6341/wanborough-village-hall

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