The present hall is increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain and keep open but getting a new village hall is proving to be a long and difficult process. As of December 2001 we have planning permission for an attractive building on land that will soon be owned by the village hall, i.e. the village community. The proposed design includes a main hall (suitable for badminton) with a stage, meeting rooms, a workshop/recreation area for the Youth Club, exercise facilities (particularly for older people) and storage areas, as well as the ‘usual offices’. Access and facilities are designed to cater for disabled users.

The estimated cost of the project is approximately £457,000 - a seriously large amount of money for a relatively small community. On current estimates our assets, including grants, amount to £223,000. Last month we had the desperately disappointing news that our application for a grant (of £190,000) from the Lottery Charities Board (now called the Community Fund) had been unsuccessful. Bruised but not beaten, the Project Co-ordinator and the WDDC village halls adviser, have already produced a draft application using the new form and criteria. All being well the new bid will be submitted early in the new year and, if it is successful, we would hope to start work by Spring 2003. Even with this money from the Community Fund we will still be about £44,000 short of our target so some serious fund raising will be necessary if Cerne Abbas is to get the village hall it needs.

If you would like further information regarding Cerne Abbas Village Hall (old or new) or can offer help or advice please contact Alan Morrell on 01300 341332 or Janet Bartlet on 01300 341085.

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