Dunchurch Dialogue Autumn 2008

Dunchurch Village Hall

As in previous years, in general the Hall will be closed between Christmas and the New Year for annual maintenance. If anyone should be interested however, there is still a vacancy for anyone wishing to have a New Year’s party. We are pleased to welcome a new weekly group on Mondays and Tuesdays a dance class run by Jill Bartlett (Contact Tel No 07894 305025 or 01788 544662). Information about this & other activities is available at the Hall, can be found on the various notice boards & on the web site www.dunchurchsportsandvhall.co.uk or alternatively using Google, Dunchurch Sportsfield & Village Hall.

Following the User Survey carried out earlier in the year, during the past few months the Trustees have been addressing a variety of issues concerned with the last phase of the ‘Hallmark’ quality standard. Among other things, this concerned the relationship between the village and the Dunchurch community and the approach of the Trustees towards planning & development. A promotional leaflet is now available and the web site has been further expanded to provide more information about the Hall & the various activities that are run during the week. It also encompassed the undertaking of an energy review, examining energy efficiency measures that might be applied to the Hall. The assessment by WRCC inspectors was carried out in late July. The conclusion to their report stated ‘though progression between the Hallmark levels does not necessarily depend on work completed at earlier levels, it is clear that the Trustees have undertaken a huge amount of work in a relatively short period since their successful assessment at Level 2 and with great success. The Assessors have no reservation in recommending Dunchurch Village Hall for achievement of Hallmark Quality Standard at level 3’. So far the Hall is the only one in Warwickshire that has managed to achieve this level. Irrespective of the not inconsiderable effort put in by the Trustees, much of what has been accomplished over the few years that the Hall has been in operation would not have been possible without the support given by Dunchurch community in simply using the hall. It is a huge success and hopefully will also be in the future with your continued support.

Part of the ongoing development has been the decision to invest in an extension to the stage. This has in part been made possible by contributions from Dunchurch Pantomaniacs & the Festival group and the Dunchurch Silver Band for which the Trustees are very grateful. The removable extension stage will initially be used for the forthcoming Pantomime in 2009 and future Silver Band events. It may also be utilised away from the main stage, in the centre of the Hall, as a freestanding two level dais for say a cabaret, a musical event or another form of presentation.

We are all faced with significant increases in our living costs, not least of which relate to energy and the Hall is no different. Whilst it is the declared intention to keep the Rates for hiring the Hall at the same attractive general level as over the past years, we have needed for 2009 to build in sufficient adjustment to enable us to recover the expected cost increases, particularly for gas & electricity. The Trustees will continue to monitor the Rates and look for any opportunities that might arise to reduce the charges. You will find details of the 2009 Rates on the web site.

In our last report, mention was made that thought was being given to partially automate the Bookings system. With the help of Keith Brushett & Jenny Black, the Trustees have been able review how easy it might be to introduce and have now made the decision to go ahead with a propriety system marketed by Avalon. Currently, work is being carried out to customise the software and set up the appropriate data. It will go into operation with effect from 1st January 2009. As a Hirer you will see little difference other than the Hire Agreements will no longer be hand written. It is anticipated that the system will simplify & reduce the time in handling the bookings and generate useful business reports.

As also reported earlier, Jenny Black our Bookings Secretary who is leaving the area, will be retiring at the end of this year. The Trustees wish to put on record their sincerely thanks to Jenny for the way she has so efficiently & effectively carried out her tasks for almost two years & wish her and her family great success and happiness in their new venture. The Trustees are pleased to announce that Val Chapman takes on the responsibility and has already assumed the day-to-day control of the Bookings, whilst Jenny assists in setting up the automated system. Those wanting to book the hall, should contact Val by telephone on Rugby 522444 or now, alternatively, by e-mail on bookings@dunchurchsportsandvhall.co.uk.

John Chard