Click here to see a photographic record of the build from the start in March 2009 to it's completion in January 2010.
How the funding was raised;
To seek funding for the project, the Committee submitted a Stage 1 application form to the Big Lottery Fund/Community Buildings Programme in August 2006. In February 2007, the Committee received the fantastic news that our application had been successful and that we were invited to submit a Stage 2 application. We were also awarded a development grant to cover the costs of the necessary ground surveys, professional fees and local authority planning/building control fees. Planning permission was granted by Suffolk Coastal District Council on 13 November 2007 and the Stage 2 application to the Big Lottery Fund/Community Buildings Programme was submitted on 15 November 2007. On 31 March 2008, the Big Lottery Fund announced the award of £187,218 to Bruisyard Parish Council to build the village hall. The Parish Council have also allocated £300 towards the build costs and BSAC (Bruisyard Social Amenities Committee) has awarded £1000 which has been raised from events held in the village. The Alde Community Council have also awarded a grant of £250.
On 24 July 2008, the Parish Council received the excellent news that Suffolk County Council had awarded the project £20,000 from the Corporate Regeneration Fund and on 15 August, Suffolk Coastal District Council granted an award of £10,000 from the Capital Grant Aid scheme.
Tender responses were received from the potential contractors on 20 October 2008 which showed that further funding raising would be needed before the building work can begin.
In December 2008, ScottishPower Green Energy Trust awarded a grant of £9825 towards the cost of the Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) and solar panel installation. Our hope is that the village hall will become a reference site for these innovative heating technologies which will become increasingly important, particularly in rural areas which have no access to a mains gas supply.
In February 2009, the Suffolk Environmental Trust awarded a grant of £27,325 to cover the cost of the electrical installation in the hall and to move the overhead power cables which cross the site where the hall was to be built. Also in February 2009, the Garfield Weston Foundation awarded a grant of £5000 which was used towards the cost of floor and wall tiling.
The funding having been secured, the main contractors, Simmons Builders Limited, started work on site on 18 March 2009 and the hall and car park was completed in January 2010. At last, Bruisyard has a village hall after a gap of 40 years since the old Iron Room was pulled down.
We are very grateful to the Big Lottery Fund, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, ScottishPower Green Energy Trust, Suffolk Environmental Trust, The Garfield Weston Foundation, BSAC and the Alde Community Council for all their help and support in this project.
In 2010, additional grants were awarded from The Adnams Charity to cover the cost of installing a fence and gate in the car park, and from R.A.O.B. Kenneth Walker Lodge to buy a microwave oven and kettle.
BBQ and Village Consultation - Sunday 10 June 2007
The Village Hall Committee celebrate the award of the Big Lottery Grant at the meeting held in March 2008
We would be delighted to hear from other villages who have either built or are hoping to build a village hall. We are keen to learn from your experiences and pass on the lessons we have learnt so far. Please contact us.
Many years ago, Bruisyard did have a successful village hall which was known as the 'Iron Room'. This was a Victorian corrugated-iron Sunday School building. The building has to be demolished in the mid 1960's as it was structurally unsafe and even the basic repair costs were prohibitive. Despite this building having no electricity or running water, it was greatly loved and much used by the community. Even 40 years on, it is fondly remembered as the social hub of the community where many couples met and several had their wedding receptions - the dances held at the 'Iron Room' are still mentioned today by many of the elderly residents in the area. The cost of building a new village hall and the lack of a suitable site have been a hugh barrier for the community in recreating the 'Iron Room'. The purchase by the Parish Council of the land which is now the Parish Park has provided an ideal location for a village hall. Our hope is that we can deliver a community centre for the village which will help recreate the community spirit and social interaction lost over 40 years ago.
To download the press articles published on the village hall;
