The Future of Our Village Hall: Annual Parish Meeting 26th March 2025

Please click here for the options for improving accessibility at the hall

Thank you to all those that came to the Annual Parish Meeting and engaged with us on the future of the village hall and the options for addressing the current accessibility issues.

 

Ruyton XI Towns Village Hall is undergoing an important journey to meet current Building Regulations and Fire Safety standards. This vital community asset is at the heart of our village, hosting countless gatherings, events, and initiatives that bring us together.

 

To ensure the hall is safe, welcoming, and compliant, the Village Hall Management Committee, in collaboration with the Ruyton XI Towns Parish Council, has commissioned a local architect to explore refurbishment and improvement options. After careful evaluation, four distinct proposals have been presented, each with its own unique approach to achieving the necessary upgrades.

 

Now, it's over to you, the community, to help shape the future of this cherished space. We want to hear your thoughts and opinions on these options. This is your opportunity to share your views and ensure that the hall reflects the needs and aspirations of all residents.

 

The Village Hall is more than just a building; it’s a hub of activity and a symbol of our vibrant community. Your input is invaluable in making this project a success. Let’s work together to secure its future for generations to come.

 

From the people who spoke to us on the night there was a general sense that we should be doing “something” to improve the access to the hall rather than doing nothing.  There is some improvement work required to the current stairway that needs to be done to make it compliant with fire safety requirements.  We have the option of rebuilding the stairway altogether to make it compliant with building regulations of today and make it an easier staircase to navigate with shallower incline and a midway landing.  This should be considered.  In general, most people who spoke to us on the evening seemed to prefer the cheaper option of having a sloped path at the church end into the hall, with the potential addition of an upstairs toilet.  However, there are a number of other considerations that still need to be taken into account eg. cost, timings, benefits.  Of the people who spoke to us, there was a feeling that once we get to the more expensive options that we should be considering an “option 5” of investigating building a new hall relocated to also solve some of the other issues such as parking and outside space rather than investing so much into the current hall.  However, this would be a much longer term project and in the meantime we still should still consider making the current hall compliant and more accessible for as many as possible if achievable at an acceptable cost.

 

Please have a look at the options in the booklets that are available in Café Eleven or on our website and complete a feedback form so that we can take your views into account as we move this project forward. Thank you for your support.

Your Voice Matters

It’s time to have your say to shape the future. 

 

Do you have a preference for which option is progressed? 

 

A booklet of the plans and feedback forms are also available at Cafe Eleven.

 

Form can be handed in at Café Eleven.