A New Village Hall for Eynsford

A New Hall for Eynsford

Following a long and diligent selection process we’re delighted to announce that G A Harper has been selected as our preferred contractor for the new hall project. Harpers are a local family firm of many years’ standing with ties to Eynsford, and we are confident that they will approach the project with the care, attention and flexibility that we need. To bring further momentum, there’s now substantial interest in the sale of the hall site and offers are being considered. Taking into account the expected proceeds from the sale of the hall site, we now have about 80% of our funding in place which enables us to make the long-awaited start on this ambitious and important community project. But to bring this to a successful conclusion we need the support of the whole village. We already have a good number of villagers who have become EVH supporters and many people have already given generously of their time and money, but now we really need to increase that engagement. There will be many ways in which you can get involved – big or small, practical or financial, everything will help to see the project through. Read more on the Friends of EVH page

Background

The current hall, built in 1905, is maintained fully functional by the Trustees. Bookings for its many activities including sales, receptions and meetings continue. However, the hall has a limited life and it has been agreed that rebuilding on the existing site was simply not cost-effective. Planning consent for a new hall on Harrow Meadow was obtained in July 2020 and consent for housing development on the existing hall site in November 2021. The two applications are linked and also included rotating and levelling the football pitch on Harrow Meadow. We are pleased to report that this first phase of the project is now completed and the first games were played on the new grass last summer. Around the site 400 hedge saplings have been planted by the Green Team, along with 10 trees and 5000 bulbs on the “chalk hill” This is a joint project with Eynsford Parish Council. The Council owns Harrow Meadow and the Trustees will lease the land on which the hall will be built. The Trustees and the Parish Council very much hope that residents and user groups will support all fundraising efforts to enable our vision of a new hall fit for the 21st century to come to fruition.