August 2025

We treated the Small Hall to some new light shades to match the original ones in the main hall.  Very pleased to find some that almost matched at a bargain price.

The Village Hall is an unincorporated Trust; it is not a legal entity in its own right and the trustees bear personal repsonsibility for transactions.  However as long as we act properly, there is little risk to ourselves and our operation is overseen by the Charity Commission.  An unincorporated charity cannot hold legal property title itself and therefore we have followed best practice guidelines and transferred the village hall to the ‘Official Custodian for Charities’ for safe keeping so that it continues to be available for community use into the far future!  We did it all the legal work ourselves to keep costs down to the minimum £100 Land Registry fee and we are happy that, on our side at least, all was in order and the transfer is now finally complete.

In July the Parish Council cut their support to the village hall in half and implied there would be no funding next year.  No clear reason was given for this other than their misinformed thought that the community hall should suddenly be entirely financially independent.  The PC do have funds to spend on the community and we consider the village hall to be a fundamental part of this community.  It has meant a complete disruption to our annual financial plans as we try to cover this significant 20% income shortfall.  Luckily we are a resourceful and resilient bunch of trustees and are moving positively forwards to protect your community asset.

July was a busy month.  We are hoping to install solar panels on the roof to improve our energy performance and become a ‘net-zero’ building.  It is predicted that we might even become a carbon negative building – ie saving more CO₂ through renewable generation than generated though our own electricity and heating fuel consumption.  The project will rely on grant funding and we had really hoped we’d have heard back by now, so crossing our fingers that it will come through in next couple of weeks.

As part of this solar project we could install some battery back up to help with community resilience & provide a central hub during power outages to at least charge your phone, have some light & actually likely we could heat it too.  Newer solar systems can operate off-grid during outages and will even recharge themselves off-grid, if the sun is shining!  Ideally we’d get some support from the community via a parish council grant.  We’d love to hear your opinion.

We’re working hard as volunteers to provide an active community hub for the village.  More volunteers always needed, do get in touch if you can help, we have a range of support ‘jobs’ available, one off or regular.

We provide an excellent flexible local venue for parties, business meetings, classes, community events  etc.  Email if you’d like to hire us.  We are Flexible, Competitive & Responsive!

villagehall@sherfieldenglish.org.uk 

Birds in the Summer Garden 10/06/25, 7.30pm SEVH

Annual Parish Meeting 21st May 2025 – Unofficial Notes!

Great to see some new faces at the Annual Parish Meeting.  Held in an inclusive circle as everyone is equal and it’s a forum to share activities in the village over the past year and hear what the community would like to say.  Thank you to the village hall for providing refreshments.

·         Parish Council Chair’s Report

·         Borough/County Councillors Report – Cllr Nick Adams-King, Leader of HCC

o   New housing targets may affect building of houses in the rural parishes including in those areas designated as ‘countryside’.   Those with Neighbourhood Plans in place will have more control over placement & type of new housing, designation of green spaces within a parish help to protect those areas.

o   New food waste bins to be rolled out in October 2025,

o   Change to additional bins to take all types of plastics and glass around 2027

o   Likely Mayoral Elections for New local areas administration body in May 2026, role of Police and Crime Commissioner will disappear and be part of Mayoral role.

o   Suggestion that SE Parish council should consider installation of speed indicators in 40mph zones of A27.  Other local villages are already in process of ordering them.  Around £3000 each.

·         Neighbourhood Plan Chair’s Report – still no date given for re-issue of Plan further to PC withdrawal of published statutory ‘Regulation 14’ Consultation in February 2024

·         Village Hall Trustees Report – see village website or noticeboard in hall for copy of report.  Increase in bookings, no increase in hire fees.  Meeting aims of the charity, more volunteers welcomed villagehall@sherfieldenglish.org.uk

·         SERP (playing fields) Report – new playground, new women’s football team, grants for field  drainage being sought

·         SE Schools Trust Report – various grants given to groups within the village including Community Art Project, Children’s playground & Church repairs

·         St Leonards Church Report

Community Issues raised by attendees:

·         Why do we need a Mayor?

·         Request to explain Parish Council Plans for changes in Parish website, who is involved in discussions?

·         Parish Resilience Plan – who is involved? Interested parties do not seem to have been contacted?

·         Speed on the A27 near Graemar Lane – accidents & possible routes of action

·         Suggestion that parish hosted training session on use of defibrillators.   Noted local organisations able to do this for low or no cost.  Village Hall happy to host.

Apologies if I’ve missed some important facts – happy to add more if you email me.  Ursula@sherfieldenglish.org.uk