Debden New Village Hall

DIG DEEP AND DONATE!  To Build a New Village Hall at the Heart of Debden! 

For the past 20 years the village of Debden has planned and actively raised funding for a new village hall for the local community.

Through sheer resilience we have raised £330,000, but, we need a further £225,000 to start the build. This doesn't include demolition fees for the old existing hall and pavilion, architects and survey fees, plus re-landscaping of the car park which comes to another £170,000. The total project cost is £720,000, and the only way we can raise that amount of funding is through phases.

What will we do with the money raised from your support… We would like to raise £2000 towards the installation of services costs - such as water, electric and broadband. Any further funds raised would fund the actual build costs of the new hall.

Q: Why do we need a new village hall?

A: We want to save and re-generate the heart of our village!

Our existing hall is not fit for purpose. It is the only community hall in the local area and was built in 1922. The Hall trustees have announced it has an 18 month life span left before being condemned and closed.

• It is far beyond economic repair

• contains asbestos

• has antiquated electrics

• on-going vermin problems

• leaking roof

• damp in WC's

• no access or toilets for disabled or baby change facilities

• subsidence in the south west corner, due to rotting timber foundations.

It doesn't meet the social or essential requirements of the user groups and community. The condition of the hall threatens Debden Village Hall Trustees legal obligation to provide this facility for the community.

Despite many problems, it is well loved and at the very heart of our community and we can't function without it! A new hall will retain the spirit of the old but will offer many more community based opportunities.

New Design: By architects Plater Claiborne, is light, airy, spacious and modern, sitting well within its rural setting, which is on the edge of Debden Recreation Ground, adjacent to the children’s play area, football pitch, tennis courts, post office, pond and Debden Primary School. The design is a multipurpose, low maintenance building to serve the needs of the current residents of Debden and future generations. With separate designated areas two events or meetings could be held at the same time. It will be a sustainable eco development where possible. You can view the plans here: publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications

What impact will your funding have… It will enable us to achieve our aims and needs.  As a close-knit community we can support each other better if we have a warm, safe and lively building to use on a daily basis. This includes all generations: the young, special needs, ethnic minorities and particularly the elderly. We need baby change, special needs and disabled facilities in the new hall. The head of Community Events is in a wheelchair and it is very difficult for her to attend the old hall for meetings due to access. It will give us the opportunity to hold both existing and new events at the venue,  such as:

• Sports

• Social events such as village fete

• Coffee mornings and luncheons

• Mums & Tots

• Amateur  Dramatics - Plays and film night

• Tea dances

• Keep fit and Pilates

• Mental awareness workshops

• Singing workshops

• Band Practice

• Ballet and Dance

• Harvest Supper

• Surf’s up club for the older generation who don’t own a computer and would like to learn how to go on-line.

Debden has a high percentage of retired and elderly people who represent a third of the population. Regular luncheon meetings for the older generation, are organised as this gives them a chance to socialise and catch up with friends. There is a coffee morning each week, games and book club. With a limited bus service,  they are unable to travel far. We can ensure that loneliness and isolation become a thing of the past.  Debden recently witnessed the village shop closing in December 2018.

We are determined we will not risk losing our hall as well.

The Village Hall Trust has secured a piece of land to build on a new site. Land registration is complete. Solicitors have finalised the agreement following surveys and land valuations. Once the new hall is completed the old hall will be demolished and the area used for a new car park. Debden Parish Council will replace the old pavilion, adjacent to the new hall, which will contribute immensely to the regeneration of the area. You can view the new pavilion plans here: publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk

Other Funding Options: As a community we have worked so hard over the past 4 years to fundraise. We have a website to keep the local people informed as to what is happening with events, meetings, etc. www.debdennewvillagehall.com

We are on social media (we would love you to follow us) www.facebook.com/DebdenNewMemorialHall and put regular updates in our local press newspapers and village magazine Debden Parish Pump - debden.org/parish-pump

We have launched a Buy - A - Brick scheme and raised £2000, organised jumble sales, gift fairs, quiz nights, Boogie nights Disco, Wine Tasting and VE day celebrations fete and scarecrow competition (now sadly postponed until May 2021).  Funding applications alone have raised over £250,000, but we still have a way to go. Over the past 12 months we have entered online competitions such as the Calor Rural Fund, Aviva Community Fund and Co-op Fund. Money has also been donated through: easyfundraising.org.uk,  SmileAmazon.com and the Essex Lottery.co.uk.

We have recently joined Semble and whatcharity.com to stay in touch with other community based projects throughout the UK.  It's important to support each other and to be aware of what other communities are doing.

This project will strengthen the local community, improve isolation and enable people to have a better quality of life.

Please help and donate as much as you can so we can achieve our dream.  We have some great rewards on offer including a long weekend away in Norfolk.

A huge thank you for your support - April Gardner