Welcome to Norton Parish Hall
|
Not only are we a village hall, sports hall, coffee shop/bar and hub of the community, we can also transform ourselves into a wonderful venue for wedding receptions, birthdays and more.
Norton Parish Hall, Wadborough Road, Littleworth, Worcester, WR5 2QB Registered Charity No. 508249 Parish Hall Trustees (PHT) - Chairman’s Report May 2020
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since I last wrote regarding the Parish Hall and the affect that Covid-19 was having on it. The Hall, Coffee Shop and Play area all remain closed, and the car park has been locked, while the playing fields remain open to those wishing to take exercise. Importantly, rather than peering into the darkness as we all were a month ago, at least now there is some light at the end of the tunnel. You’ll be pleased to know that the Trustees continue to meet virtually, and rather than cancelling everything, as has been the case until now, we’re now considering positive actions in preparation to re-commence business. You may be aware that as a registered charity, the Parish Hall Trustees are required to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to allow the public to scrutinise our actions as a charity. This is normally held in May, but a change in the law has allowed charities to postpone it until later in the year when a physical gathering can be considered. At the AGM, Trustees are also required to stand-down and be re-elected, meaning that those Trustees currently in place will remain in place until the AGM is held; I’m pleased to report that all are willing to continue in their roles. Thankfully the postponement does not affect the financial information that we are required to submit to the Charities Commission. Thanks to all of the community support FY19/20 was good, however the budget prediction for FY20/21 is predictably poor. It suggests a remaining budget of £4,000 by Sep 20, which is when the Trustees feel we may be able to re-commence trading. The biggest potential casualty of this is the match funding that the Trustees agreed to pay with the Parish Council to enable the spending of the £180,000 Wychavon District Council Community Legacy Grant. We are seeking what support we can from Government in the hope that if we are successful, it will enable the match funding to go ahead rather than create the inevitable delay there would be in re-building our bank balance. Thankfully, despite the match funding situation, the charity’s financial circumstance remains quite robust, but as we emerge from the current situation, we will need everyone’s help to re-generate the volunteer army and community spirit, thereby enabling it to generate funds and continue to progress in its support of the community. For those of you living locally, you may have seen our stock sale advertised. Rather than let stock go out of date, the Trustees have decided to give food items to food banks, and offer bar stock to the local community at discounted prices. The Trustees may yet open an appropriately socially distanced sales table in the lobby of the Parish Hall, but that depends upon our ability to do it safely and whether there is any need following the stock sale as described previously. Looking ahead, we are hoping that the outside space at the hall may be the first element of the Coffee Shop to re-open. The thought is that the existing bench seats are spread further apart and limited to four individuals, or a family group per bench and that sales from the Coffee Shop are via the hatch in the entrance hall, with the Coffee Shop itself remaining closed. There would be a Perspex sheet across the hatch between volunteer and customer and all payments would be contactless. At present Government rules do not allow us to open, and this is in anticipation of the rules being relaxed, but hopefully when they are, we will have a plan. It is hoped that the Play area rules might be relaxed in a similar timeframe, in which case the use of the Play area and the bench seating will help make for a much more enjoyable summer. Having postponed the James Bond themed Casino Night, cancelled the VE-Day Street Party and the Summer Solstice, and anticipating that we may have to cancel the Halloween and Fireworks, the Trustees are actively considering an event towards the end of the year that will enable the community to get together. Clearly what it is and when it is depends very much on the progress made in beating Covid-19 and relaxing lock-down, but a plan is being considered. However, despite cancelling the VE-Day Street Party at the hall, it’s hoped that you all have plans to conduct your own, socially distanced, front garden, VE-Day party on Friday 8 May; the Bank Holiday was moved especially to celebrate it, the weather forecast looks good, so there doesn’t seem to be much of an excuse! Finally, though I’m sure most have now adjusted to the new normality, there is no reason why anyone should not feel supported during this pandemic and I would ask that you all consider whether those in your vicinity are aware of the assistance available and know how to access it as appropriate – we all have a part to play. No request for assistance should be dismissed and there is no such thing as a stupid idea, so if there is anything that you consider the Parish Hall Trustees should be addressing, please let us know. Stay safe and stay in touch with your community, we are all in this together. Kevin Fincher Chairman Parish Hall Trustees |
|
The hall can be transformed into a stunning place to have your wedding reception in partnership with Oscar from The Worcester Marquee Company, click to find our more!
|
Our beautiful coffee shop can be hired outside of normal opening hours for private functions such as christenings, baby showers, birthdays or alongside the hall for a wedding reception.
|
Click here to find out more about all our different upcoming events!
|