If you are interested in hiring the hall, you can check out the facilities, availability and lots more here: coldwalthampc.org.uk/villagehall
HISTORY
Sandham Hall (or Sandham Memorial Village Hall as it is now known) has served as a meeting place for the parish of Coldwaltham for over 110 years. The hall was given to the parish by Miss Mary Louisa Sandham in memory of her father, the Reverend James Sandham, a former vicar of St Giles, Coldwaltham.
The hall was conveyed to the Chichester Diocese Trustees on 7 May 1903 and held within the Chichester Diocese Trust Deed. The Diocese Trust became custodian trustees and the vicar and churchwardens were managing trustees. Although the deed gave very wide guidelines for use, it was to all intents and purposes a church hall, with the vicar of the day passing the day-to-day running of the hall to a committee.
Local fundraising over the years kept the hall in reasonable condition and made possible the addition of indoor toilets and cloakroom during the late 1970s and refurbishment including rewiring in the 1990s. However, as a church (rather than a village) hall, it was not eligible for grants for improvements and maintenance.
In 2001, a lengthy process to allow it to become a village hall was started. In 2006, this change of status was achieved when the Church Commissioners agreed to the hall being leased to the Parish Council (the new custodian trustees) for an initial term of 35 years. A committee of managing trustees made up of three elected trustees and a number of trustees nominated by local organisations became responsible for the running of the hall. The first AGM of the Sandham Memorial Village Hall was held on 5 July 2006.
As the hall was in a poor and unmodernised state, money was raised from grants, donations and fundraising to provide replacement roof, inner hall ceiling, modern kitchen, curtains, disabled toilet and complete redecoration. In 2015, the car park was resurfaced and extended to provide parking for up to 25 vehicles.
TODAY
The hall continues to be extremely well used on a regular basis by a number of local groups including the coffee shop, dancing club, the Wild Brooks Society, whist clubs, upholstery classes and for band practice. The Post Office has operated from the hall since 1990 and is currently open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.
To continue to operate, the hall relies on its rental income, supported by its 100 Club lottery and by donations which are always gratefully received. To join the 100 Club please contact Pauline in the Post Office or on the number below.
The hall is available for hire for functions and has hosted numerous birthday parties and anniversary celebrations as well as charity and village events. It is an ideal venue with kitchen facilities, outside space and excellent parking.
TO HIRE THE HALL
For further information about hiring the hall, please contact Pauline Streeter at the Post Office or by telephoning her on 01798 873868.
Open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am – 1pm
Last postal collection 12.35pm
NO DVLA or PASSPORT FORMS can be undertaken at this office.
