Parish Hall Chairman’s Report, May 2015

Parish HallThis has been a very good year for South Hill Parish Hall.  It has seen a continued stability in regular bookings, with children’s parties the front runner. The hire charge of £12 per session is a fundamental strategy to our success, in growing new and repeat business.

I would like to thank Wendy for her work as secretary and Liz for bookings, and combined role as treasurer.

Thanks to Debbie for supporting events, Clare for taking the reins in my absence and to Ali who has brought a new and continued impetus to the committee.

Richard has made an instant impact with the portrait session for Fun Day, and we welcome Lucy and Andy, new to our ranks.

I believe as a team, we can congratulate ourselves on producing some top quality events in the parish. For example, the Harvest Supper and Children’s Christmas party.

The hirers have continued to benefit from our decision to introduce a permanent weekly paid cleaner, who with Liz’s guidance has helped us to noticeably raise standards.

We have now completed a joint project funded by the Parish council to provide an outside toilet by reducing the size of the gents and making a self-contained unit with an outside door. The canopy at the rear of the building facing the playing fields has created an outside all weather area.

To the Future – I would like to find ways to reduce the energy costs to hirers, and I hope our joint project with SHARE to install solar panels on the roof will be the start of us achieving this objective.

The big project for 2015 will be the Fun Day working alongside the horticultural committee to provide a high quality day of fun and entertainment for all the family whilst raising money for Childrens Hospice South West and Ellie’s Haven with some small provision for local causes and charities.

For the future:  to continue with the success that is South Hill Parish Hall and to maintain a high quality venue that is value for money.  And to help provide a wide range of events for the community.

Nick Easton, Chair