South Warwickshire village hall at Northend is reopened after welcome renovation

Burton Dassett Village Hall in Northend has just reopened after the completion of its first phase of renovation.
Pictured, l - r are builder Sam White, guests of honour Betty Williams and Joyce Benfield and James Gordon-Cumming, treasure of the village hall committee.Pictured, l - r are builder Sam White, guests of honour Betty Williams and Joyce Benfield and James Gordon-Cumming, treasure of the village hall committee.
Pictured, l - r are builder Sam White, guests of honour Betty Williams and Joyce Benfield and James Gordon-Cumming, treasure of the village hall committee.

An official reopening evening was held on Friday following refurbishment that has included installation of under-floor heating, insulation and a new toilet block.

The hall was built in 1934 and was enlarged through a number of small extensions over the next 30 years. In 2014 the hall was bequeathed £10,000 by villager Fred Gee. The following year the kitchen was condemned and eventually refurbished by the community, allowing the hall to be reopened.

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In 2016, plans for a full refurbishment were drawn up with support of Warwickshire Rural Community Council and SWA Architects and a big fundraising drive began. The following year HS2 donated £70,000 to the fund, with £17,000 from the district council and villagers themselves raised a further £17,000.

Last year a team from SJ White Building Ltd started Phase 1 of the refurbishment plans which included the new underfloor heating, fully insulating the main hall, a new toilet block and porch. Before Friday's reopening the front garden was landscaped, thanks to C&W Knight of Fenny Compton.

Guests of honour were villagers Betty Williams and Joyce Benfield who had both been present at the inaugural opening ceremony in 1934.

James Gordon-Cumming, treasurer of the village hall, said: "The committee would like to thank everyone involved for getting the hall to the point where it is now a warm and inviting place for the community to meet and socialise. Special thanks to Sam White and his team for their excellent workmanship and dedication.

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"Onwards to our next fundraising target to begin Phase 2 which will include a new kitchen, a separate meeting space/cafe, a backstage area for the drama club and new rear glazed doors leading to a large raised patio area."

In the photo: L-R Sam White (builder), Betty Williams (villager), Joyce Benfield (villager) and James Gordon-Cumming (Treasurer BDVH)