Play Area Improvements
In 2023 we began fundraising for improvements to the children's play area. We currently have a swing set, toddler frame and a climbing frame for slightly older children. We have already made improvements to the toddler frame as following feedback we identified that toddlers were unable to use the netted bridge, therefore we replaced this with a wooden walkway.
In 2024 we sought feedback from the community with regards to their needs and wishes for future developments and the committee all joined in in fundraising for future playground additions. We have identified that better flooring and equipment for the older children would be a great improvement to the area and have met with several play area specialists for ideas and quotes.
In 2025 we hope to finalise the first stage of the play area improvements and aim for a 2025 build - depending on grants available.
In 2024 we sought feedback from the community with regards to their needs and wishes for future developments and the committee all joined in in fundraising for future playground additions. We have identified that better flooring and equipment for the older children would be a great improvement to the area and have met with several play area specialists for ideas and quotes.
In 2025 we hope to finalise the first stage of the play area improvements and aim for a 2025 build - depending on grants available.
Pond Improvements
On Saturday 8th June a team of volunteers led by Tom Dutson started work on the pond improvements. For a while now attempts to fix a leak in the pond have been unsuccessful – we have looked into many options of what to do with the pond and over all feedback was to make the pond smaller, in order to keep the pond as a feature of the hall. Tom put forward plans to make the pond smaller, reline the smaller pond with clay and fill in the other half of the pond and turn that into a garden area for the hall which, in time could be used by hirers. Due to the time restraints to complete this work we unfortunately had to cancel the Autumn live music and have rearranged this for 2025.
Work continued over a couple of weekends and overall, 200 tonne of rubble and soil were used to fill in the left hand side of the pond and work was started on relining the pond. Fencing has been put up to separate the pond from the garden and to reestablish the public footpath which now goes behind the pond and a gate from the patio to the garden has been installed. The new garden area was seeded and quickly turned into a beautiful grassy garden! Plants and trees have been planted around the pond and along fence lines to add some colour. Once the garden is established and able to be used the gate will be unlocked. The initial pond improvements have made some changes with the bottom of the pond now being able to retain water. Future work will include relining the sides of the pond to allow a higher water level.
A special thanks to Tom Dutson the mastermind of the whole operation, Allice Cutting, Len and Maureen Pitman, Matthew White, Emma, Oliver, Evie and Joseph Moore who have all volunteered to get this project started and finished in such a quick time! Thank you also to Agri Management Solutions (AMS) who kindly allowed the use of the digger and to Bullockhurst Farm for helping us move the soil.
In 2025 we aim to tidy up the pond area and maintain it as it establishes. The garden will need to be top dressed and reseeded to level out settlement and hope to open the garden in the spring.
In 2025 we aim to tidy up the pond area and maintain it as it establishes. The garden will need to be top dressed and reseeded to level out settlement and hope to open the garden in the spring.
A picture of the pond in March 2024, before improvements began.
Energy Improvements
In 2024 we underwent an audit to see how we can become even more energy efficient. From this audit a grant was obtained from Worcestershire County Council and all the lights were replaced with LED lights and destratification fans were fitted to help with airflow throughout the year.
We also identified that the our external doors had significant gaps between the door and the frames which allowed heat to escape therefore have had all doors serviced and new seals and new fittings which have resolved these issues and increased our energy efficiency.
We also identified that the our external doors had significant gaps between the door and the frames which allowed heat to escape therefore have had all doors serviced and new seals and new fittings which have resolved these issues and increased our energy efficiency.
Further Plans
*Roof monitoring - plans for the next 5-10 years for a replacement roof.
*Driveway improvements - sort pot holes, tidy up driveway - possibly re-gravel.
* Upgrade outdoor electrics for hirers.
* Resurface the slope to the kitchen.
* Replace ovens in kitchen.
*Driveway improvements - sort pot holes, tidy up driveway - possibly re-gravel.
* Upgrade outdoor electrics for hirers.
* Resurface the slope to the kitchen.
* Replace ovens in kitchen.