Village Hall Committee Report May 2025
HEMSWELL AND HARPSWELL VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE
The Parish Council AGM takes place two days prior the Village Hall AGM, on 21st May. I am therefore unable to report on any personnel changes or decisions from that meeting.
Over the last few months the Committee has focussed on preparing, organising and running the May Day event for the village. This is a colossal undertaking with all committee members and other long standing helpers doing so much to make it a success in raising in the region of £2100 for the upkeep of the hall. Many people are to be thanked for without this collective effort we would be the poorer.
It seemed that at least four hundred people came and enjoyed the stalls (one of which having been run by the same resident for over thirty years). There was an increased number of independent stall holders, the beer sold out, there were long queues to the burgers, and cream teas served by a rota of helpers. It was a delight to see many children from the village dancing round the maypole. Thanks go to Elizabeth, PC Clerk, who oversaw the necessary upgrading to the maypole and it’s timely new ribbon holder as well as her research into it’s history.
As we embark upon a new year, we will review and learn about the work required for May Day including any health and safety improvements. There are ongoing maintenance issues (eg a few days before May Day the hot water boiler ceased functioning and had to be urgently replaced) and it might be prudent to have a full survey in order to keep ahead of any potential problems. However, all this is dependent on people remaining actively involved and more joining in to help.
There is a fantastic new website which we hope will ease the bookings and continue to be populated with general information and promoting the use of the hall. We are very grateful to have been gifted a gaming computer for sale with expressions of interest being channeled through the website. Have a look at the website and let us know what you think:
https://hemswellandharpswellvillagehall.co.uk/
The Village Hall Committee thank the Parish Council for their ongoing support.