Space brings new frontiers for Tenby hall
It’s a case of ‘spot the join’ when you visit the popular New Hedges Village Hall on the outskirts of Tenby.
The stone carving on the outside proudly gives the legend that the hall dates back to 1853.
It is only on closer examination that you realise the original 19th century school building has had a significant makeover.
The addition of an extension to the old hall is virtually seamless. The extension doubles the space available at the hall – and it’s all thanks to a Welsh Assembly Government grant.
“It’s quite a challenge for some of our visitors to stand in the car park and tell us where the old hall ends and when the extension begins,” smiled New Hedges Village Hall secretary Lynda Hensman.
“There’s a great deal of craft gone into building what is described as the annexe. The builders actually used the stone from the old school house which was next door to the old hall, itself a converted old school.
“It’s quite an achievement in terms of the way they have done it. They have incorporated the original 1853 stone carving into the building and there is some real craft which has gone into the stonework.”
The annexe extension was made possible by £128,500 from CFAP – the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme.
“The Assembly Government’s money has helped us transform the hall and it has in one big move basically doubled the space we have available,” added Mrs Hensman.
Hall booking clerk Mary Watts agreed. “I’ve lived nearby all my life and I’ve been able to witness at first hand the transformation of the old school into a village hall which brings so much joy to the community.”
Hall committee chairman Christine Butland said the community of New Hedges was delighted with its revamped hall.
“Before, we couldn’t even use the full length of the short-mat bowls track. Now, we can accommodate that and so much more. It really has opened up new frontiers for us.
“We have a big kitchen which means we can cope with lots more events and activities and the disabled access facilities have been improved.
“It really is a hall for everyone, from the cradle to the grave. We have toddlers groups meeting here, the WI, wedding receptions, birthday parties and even funeral wakes.
“The difference it has made to the hall has been dramatic. We are able to bring a lot more people in and able to stage a bigger range of events. We are also lucky in having a great car park and an extensive play area at the rear of the hall.
“The residents of New Hedges feel the benefit more than anyone. But we are also a hall open to everyone.
“We have something like 11 caravan sites in the immediate area – and that is very important in a tourism area like Tenby. We stage bingo, quizzes, fun days and car boot sales and we find they are as popular with visiting tourists as they are with the local community.”
Secretary Mrs Hensman agreed: “The welcome mat is out to all at New Hedges Village Hall, local residents and visitors to the area.
“We are very grateful for the support we have had from the Welsh Assembly Government and we are committed to making the best use possible of what is a wonderful facility for the community of New Hedges.”
CFAP - The Community Facilities and Activities Programme is a grant scheme operated by the Welsh Assembly Government to help community or voluntary organisations provide facilities or carry out activities which will promote the regeneration of communities. Since its launch in 2002 CFAP has proved to be a highly successful grant programme. A total of £64 million has been awarded to 660 projects across the length and breadth of Wales.
Projects have included the refurbishment of church and village halls, work to make community properties accessible to the disabled, buying part of a former airfield for community use and restoring historic buildings for community use.
The CFAP is run from The Welsh Assemby Government’s Merthyr Tydfil office - Communities Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP), Communities Directorate, Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil Office, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ
Hall line-up: Pictured outside the New Hedges Village Hall are (left to right) - Ken Hall, volunteer groundsman, Mary Watts, booking clerk, Christine Butland, hall committee chairman, and Lynda Hensman, hall secretary.
Press release issued by Robert Lloyd on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.
The stone carving on the outside proudly gives the legend that the hall dates back to 1853.
It is only on closer examination that you realise the original 19th century school building has had a significant makeover.
The addition of an extension to the old hall is virtually seamless. The extension doubles the space available at the hall – and it’s all thanks to a Welsh Assembly Government grant.
“It’s quite a challenge for some of our visitors to stand in the car park and tell us where the old hall ends and when the extension begins,” smiled New Hedges Village Hall secretary Lynda Hensman.
“There’s a great deal of craft gone into building what is described as the annexe. The builders actually used the stone from the old school house which was next door to the old hall, itself a converted old school.
“It’s quite an achievement in terms of the way they have done it. They have incorporated the original 1853 stone carving into the building and there is some real craft which has gone into the stonework.”
The annexe extension was made possible by £128,500 from CFAP – the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme.
“The Assembly Government’s money has helped us transform the hall and it has in one big move basically doubled the space we have available,” added Mrs Hensman.
Hall booking clerk Mary Watts agreed. “I’ve lived nearby all my life and I’ve been able to witness at first hand the transformation of the old school into a village hall which brings so much joy to the community.”
Hall committee chairman Christine Butland said the community of New Hedges was delighted with its revamped hall.
“Before, we couldn’t even use the full length of the short-mat bowls track. Now, we can accommodate that and so much more. It really has opened up new frontiers for us.
“We have a big kitchen which means we can cope with lots more events and activities and the disabled access facilities have been improved.
“It really is a hall for everyone, from the cradle to the grave. We have toddlers groups meeting here, the WI, wedding receptions, birthday parties and even funeral wakes.
“The difference it has made to the hall has been dramatic. We are able to bring a lot more people in and able to stage a bigger range of events. We are also lucky in having a great car park and an extensive play area at the rear of the hall.
“The residents of New Hedges feel the benefit more than anyone. But we are also a hall open to everyone.
“We have something like 11 caravan sites in the immediate area – and that is very important in a tourism area like Tenby. We stage bingo, quizzes, fun days and car boot sales and we find they are as popular with visiting tourists as they are with the local community.”
Secretary Mrs Hensman agreed: “The welcome mat is out to all at New Hedges Village Hall, local residents and visitors to the area.
“We are very grateful for the support we have had from the Welsh Assembly Government and we are committed to making the best use possible of what is a wonderful facility for the community of New Hedges.”
CFAP - The Community Facilities and Activities Programme is a grant scheme operated by the Welsh Assembly Government to help community or voluntary organisations provide facilities or carry out activities which will promote the regeneration of communities. Since its launch in 2002 CFAP has proved to be a highly successful grant programme. A total of £64 million has been awarded to 660 projects across the length and breadth of Wales.
Projects have included the refurbishment of church and village halls, work to make community properties accessible to the disabled, buying part of a former airfield for community use and restoring historic buildings for community use.
The CFAP is run from The Welsh Assemby Government’s Merthyr Tydfil office - Communities Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP), Communities Directorate, Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil Office, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ
Hall line-up: Pictured outside the New Hedges Village Hall are (left to right) - Ken Hall, volunteer groundsman, Mary Watts, booking clerk, Christine Butland, hall committee chairman, and Lynda Hensman, hall secretary.
Press release issued by Robert Lloyd on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.
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