Every time the numbers don’t come up doesn’t mean that you’ve lost…. Lockeridge’s very popular and well-used Kennet Valley Hall probably wouldn’t be getting a new and weathertight roof if you hadn’t played.
The old (original) roof was fast approaching the end of its working life, slates that were used when the Hall was new in 1976 were starting to crumble and the recommendation late last year from roofing specialistswas to replace the entireroof covering rather than try to patch the worst areas in the hope that the inevitable leaks would be kept at bay.
Step forward the National Lottery. Alongside many previous fund raising ventures the Hall Management Committee successfully applied for a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund and was awarded more than £32,000, the balance of £15,000 being provided from the Hall`s own funds. The grant also allowed the Hall Management to upgrade the roof insulation in an effort to save energy.
Work has now started and should be finished in a few weeks so the Hall will again be weathertight in time for the Winter.
The Hall is a major asset to the whole Kennet Valley community. It is used by many private individuals for celebrations and parties, by the Kennet Valley School as an adjunct to the nearby village school and by many local groups including the Kennet Valley Cricket Club, Marlborough & District Embroiderers’ Guild, U3A ,plus community events such as the twice yearly Bingo nights. It is also home to the Kennet Valley Amateur Dramatic Society who every year stage a memorable Pantomime which packs the Hall out for four nights every New Year. There are also the regular Moviola Film Nights on Sunday evenings so the Hall gets used by many from the local community and the wider Marlborough area as well.
“Keep playing” said Brian Rayment, Chairman of the Trustees & Management Committee. ”Without your spending on the Lottery we would probabl ybe looking to patch the roof rather than fix it properly” he added. ”The Hall is a valuable hub for the whole community…. activities of the many groups that rely on the Hall would be severely disrupted should the current state of the Hall roof deteriorate further, and we would like to thank not just everyone who plays the Lottery but also the many organisations and individuals who hire the Hall for their ongoing support.
For information about the Hall, what’s on or to make a booking visit the Hall website: https://www.kvh.org.uk