Village Hall - News

Results of the Little Weighton Village Hall Survey
February – March 2008
The recent survey of villagers’ views about the future developments of the village hall has produced some interesting and valuable insights. Thank you very much indeed to all of you who took the time and trouble to return the questionnaires. Over 400 questionnaires were distributed throughout the village. Ninety people completed and returned these, the responses were analysed, comments noted and the results were discussed by the village hall committee at their last meeting in April. A brief report on the main findings of the survey are set out below and more details can be obtained from Bert Sorsby, the village hall secretary, telephone 875680

Almost everyone (99%) thinks that the village hall committee do a good job. Six people kindly offered their expertise by saying they would like to join the committee. Almost everyone (again 99%) thinks that the current booking charge of £8 per session for village residents is very good value - so please contact the booking secretary (telephone number 843632) if you would like to book the hall at what is obviously a most reasonable rate.

Over 90% of those responding believed that the energy efficiency of the village hall should be improved and this means that we can use this evidence in support as we explore further how to get grants to
Insulate the hall. There was a similar level of support for getting the hall and the associated land
registered with the Land Registry. This is important so that the property is secured as a current and
future asset for the whole village. Both these items are now approved as high priority in the village hall action plan.

Over 80% of responses said there should be better soundproofing to ensure greater confidentiality for the doctors’ surgery, slightly fewer thought that general soundproofing should be improved. These points will be considered as we explore ways in which the hall can be made more generally energy efficient.

Most people think that the hall is in a good state of repair and looks good from the outside. The landscaping around the hall is generally attractive and the car park is an asset, although better signs are needed to encourage visitors to park there rather than in the road.

Most written comments fell into three main areas. Although each of the sets of views were expressed only by a minority, they show some views which are strongly held within the village. The first set of views (held by about 20% of responders) argue that the village hall should be demolished and re-built, either on its present site or elsewhere in the village. There are ambitions here for better social and sports facilities in a new, purpose-built village hall. A second area of strongly-expressed (but still a minority) concern relates to improving disabled access to the hall as well as improving toilet facilities generally. A third area of concern relates to altering various features within the hall to make it easier to keep clean and these sensible suggestions will be taken on board as money becomes available.

Some additional useful suggestions were made, such as getting more comfortable chairs, improving information technology access as well as improving the flooring. The village hall committee will be considering all of these at future meetings to see what can be done. There were many useful thoughts too about future activities which should be held in the village hall. These included suggestions for more activities for young people, more dances and social events, sports activities such as table tennis and indoor bowls, a group for local history, U3A meetings and a social group for the men of the village. Is anyone else interested? Please contact the village hall on telephone number 875680 if so.

The village hall committee would like to thank all of you who responded to this survey and who have provided some valuable advice about how we can meet the challenges of the village hall’s next 100 years. Many thanks also to those who delivered the questionnaires throughout the village and our special thanks go to Peter and Kay in the village shop for their continued support and help in collecting in the completed questionnaires.

Finally, many congratulations to Mr S Fairburn who won the prize draw for the returned questionnaires.

Bert Sorsby - Village Hall Secretary

For contact telephone numbers please ring - Beryl Cross on 01482 843632

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