Cornworthy Village Hall had a busy year in 2023 and a lot was achieved towards supporting the future of the Hall, which receives no regular funding from the Parish to sustain it. All funds for maintenance and improvements come from fundraising. A programme of necessary capital upgrades was drawn up and costed earlier in the year. The overall target required is in excess of £75,000, of which over £30,000 has been secured from existing reserves and through donations and grant applications. Thanks to this and the additional contributions made to date towards the crowd funding appeal launched in 2023, work has already started. Certain aspects of the energy efficiency and fire system upgrades have been completed, and further works will be undertaken in 2024 to improve the meeting room, the kitchen, and the IT infrastructure as well as the external doors.
Running costs are met from the funds raised through regular fund-raising events and 2023 saw another series of fun and successful activities. These included the pig racing evening in February hosted by The Hunters Lodge Inn, the curry night in March, and the Dog Show in June at Dymonds Meadow courtesy of Sue Stevenson. In October, Apple Day was again hosted by the Hunters Lodge Inn, drawing many visitors some of whom entered the recently judged cider making competition, and in November, a capacity-filled Hall danced the night away at a ceilidh organised by Rebecca Stevenson. The Christmas Craft Fair at the end of November was a huge success and was followed up by a Christmas Film presented by the Cornworthy Cinema Club and a sell-out Christmas Disco in mid-December organised by Paul Mcloughlin.
The Committee is delighted that the Hall is benefitting from increased use and once again becoming the focus of village activities. During the Coronation weekend, there was a free screening of “The King’s Speech” in the Hall, an event which launched the Cornworthy Cinema Club, and the Hall also staged a special exhibition celebrating the village community through film, photos and pictures drawn from across the Parish and curated by Donna Devaney. Cornworthy Cinema Club plans a monthly screening going forward; the Table Tennis Club is going strong; badminton is beginning to happen on a regular basis; and the inaugural meeting of the Pickle Ball Club is planned for January 2024.
The Committee would like to thank everyone who has supported the Hall throughout the year, whether that be by making a financial contribution, organising or hosting an event, volunteering or attending the various activities that take place. If you want to get involved, contact secretary@cornworthyvillagehall.uk
If you want to donate, please use our Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cornworthy-village-hall-future-funds
For more information about the fundraising and future events, visit the Cornworthy Village Hall website (which was also overhauled during 2023!) www.cornworthyvillagehall.uk.
Cornworthy Village Hall Committee