History of the hall

 

Nether Heyford Village Hall was built with the help of volunteer labour and completed in May 1960 as a prefabricated cedar wood building. Brick extensions were added in 1991 to provide new toilets and kitchen at one end, a storage room and committee room with toilet and kitchenette at the other and an access ramp to the front door.

In August 2003 work started on updating the hall – UPVC double glazed windows, insulation and cladding to the front and rear of the wooden section was fitted, together with new front and kitchen doors. Again all the work was done by villagers giving their time and expertise voluntarily.

An insulated roof was added in 2006 and in October 2008 the Pre School transformed the area at the rear of the hall with an outdoor play surface to make a secure outdoor area for the young children. Since then the remaining doors and windows have been replaced, new gas boilers fitted and decoration carried out annually whilst maintenance continues by our volunteer team.

A yearly summary of all improvement projects is detailed below;

• 2002/03  A Sound System & Induction Loop (hearing) system was fitted

• 2003/04  UPVC double glazed windows, insulation and cladding to the front and rear of the wooden section was fitted, together with new front and kitchen doors.

• 2006/07  An insulated roof was added

• 2008/09  The Pre School transformed the area at the rear of the hall with an outdoor play surface to make a secure outdoor area for the young children. The Fire Doors were also replaced,

• 2009/10  The remaining wooden doors and windows in the committee room were replaced with UPVC and two old boilers replaced with a new energy efficient combi gas boiler for heat and hot water

• 2011/12  The kitchen was completely refurbished with new units and flooring. 

• 2012/13  New flooring was laid in the foyer and disabled toilet to match the new flooring in the kitchen. 

• 2013/14  Ceiling fans were installed and high security locks were fitted to the main hall doors. Car park repaired and parking lines added

• 2014/15  The Ladies toilets were refurbished (Lottery Grant). New chairs were purchased for the main hall and lockable storage cupboards were bought for regular users. Two wall thermostats were installed in the main hall.

• 2015/16   External power points were installed as well as new boiler controls

• 2016/17  The Main Hall and stage lights were replaced with L.E.D. batten luminaires lighting. There was a major maintenance of the heating system which included replacing the main electric power & circuit boards. All external lights were controlled by a P.I.R sensor. The PA and sound system were upgraded

• 2017/18  The Bar area was re-painted. The men’s toilets were completely refurbished. The Disabled toilet was completely refurbished (including widening the door to bring into specification). The Committee Room had lights replaced with L.E.D. lights, it was repainted and had a new carpet and blind fitted and was re-named as the Meeting Room. The main Foyer was refurbished including replacing the lights with L.E.D. lighting.

• 2018/19  New artwork for the main foyer was designed. Hand dryers were replaced in the ladies toilet

• 2019/20  The carpet in the storage area was cleaned. Outdoor lights near the meeting room were replaced. Curtain poles in the main hall were replaced. The Entrance Hall Welcome notice  was installed with LED back lighting. The main hall floor was stripped and re-coated with a tough polyurethane finish. A new website was set up and a newsletter developed and distributed to all users and friends of the hall.

• 2020/21  A new outdoor storage container was installed. The main hall was completely  re-decorated. The back wall of the stage was re-plastered.

• 2021/22  The roofing above the ladies toilet was repaired and the ceiling in the ladies toilet re-painted. The back wall of the stage was re-painted in matt white. Lighting was upgraded in the kitchen to LED's. Emergency doors were checked and serviced.

• 2022/23  A collage of main user groups was displayed in the main foyer. All of the  main halls window glass was replaced with argon gas filled window glass. Smart meters were fitted for gas and electricity. The storage area was redesigned and improved.

• 2023/24  The hall floor was deep cleaned and 2 new coats of lacquer were applied. A post box was erected outside of the village hall and a key safe installed in the committee meeting room.  An artificial Christmas tree and lights were purchased.

• 2024/25  All chairs were professionally  cleaned. The cooker was cleaned and a new extractor fan installed. Electrical upgrades were carried out to the whole system to include upgraded emergency lighting, changed/upgraded LED lighting, PAT testing of all plug in equipment on site, updated Electric Compliance Certification, repaired toilet extraction fans. Re-painting part of the main hall. Upgrade of plumbing  to a number of areas to address leaking pipe work from the boiler, blocked drains, leaking taps etc.  A new heating timer was fitted in the store room. Guttering, soffits and facia repairs carried out to the roof. Capital improvements included the following; Installation of solar panels and associated battery storage system. New hall curtains. Shelving to increase storage space in the container. A new gazebo for the fete. New sign for the front door. Fridge for the small meeting room. Purchase of a Sum Up machine and a new filing cabinet

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Over the years, it has been used for all manner of events, from pre-school to pantomimes and dances to dinner parties.  It is conservatively decorated and can offer seating for up to 120 people.  There are facilities for wedding receptions and family parties, including:

• Main Hall with stage

• Kitchen

• Bar area

• Segregated toilets – Men, Ladies, Disabled

• Committee Room with adjacent kitchenette and unisex toilet

• Storage room

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