Photo Gallery - New Hall Project

CLOSURE OF HALL - NEW VENUE DETAILS LISTED BELOW

Kenn Parish Council                 Kenn C of E School, Kennford
Kenn & Kennford W.I               Kenn C of E School, Kennford
Kenn & Kennford Art Classes     Dunchideock Parish Hall
Isca Allemanders                    TO BE ADVISED
Lent Lunches                         Please see What's On page
Kennford Playbox                    Now permanently relocated to new facility adjacent to Partridge Cycles, Kennford

Kenn Parish Hall  Secretary / Chairperson Report 2007

During the year we have held 9 meetings with an average attendance of 9. Currently there are only 14 representative and elected members after David Birch, Shirley Beale and Brenda Stone all sadly resigned from office, however it has been a pleasure to welcome a representative of the Playbox committee at most of our meetings.

There have been several disappointments over the past 12 months, not least of which was the negative result regarding our application to DeFRA for a grant and the closure of the youth club. However, on a positive note we have heard that Rural Renaissance is prepared to fund us to the tune of £237,000. Thanks to Michael, Howard and Michelle for their hard work in re-writing the business plan. Devon County Council has agreed to give £50,000 towards a building for the Playbox and Kenn Parish Council will fund the remaining amount to ensure a speedy transfer of facilities. Ugbrook Environmental has also agreed to fund us to the tune of £10,000 to clear the site. Thanks to Jane and Sarah for their hard work in submitting this bid.

Planning permission for the old site has been approved and this will assist in the sale of the land and hopefully ensure we obtain a good price. Numerous meetings have taken place throughout the year to move the new build project forward, and these are ongoing to establish exactly what we can build on the site.

The hall continues to be used by a wide variety of groups and individuals. The play school use it 5 days a week whilst the WI, youth club, Parish Council, art group and kick boxing use the hall regularly. This year has also seen the use of the hall for film shows, band practice, dancing and parties. Unfortunately, the hall is now in a very dilapidated state and whilst we endeavour to comply with health and safety requirements it is not financially advisable to repair everything.

Several fund raising events have taken place during the year. Brenda and Mervyn Hosking kindly put on a sausage sizzle, in conjunction with the Church, which was a great success. Thank you.

Maggie Westcott has arranged several villages in action events which have proved popular especially the film shows that have enabled us to have our own cinema in the village. Many thanks for her continuing hard work.

The fireworks at the racecourse proved to be very successful, raising funds not only for ourselves but also the school and cricket club. Thanks to everyone who helped out with this event.

The impetus that has been generated in the past year must continue and we welcome any ideas you may have for fundraising. Not only do these events provide us with much needed monies they are a great way for the villagers to socialise and truly feel a part of the new hall build.

Many thanks to Peter Holwell and the Haldon Views team for all their hard work in producing such a successful magazine, and also for his continuing dedication to the parish website. The newsletter has now become independent of the hall but we wish them every success for the future.

Finally, we personally would like to thank all the committee members for their support over the past year. Our especial thanks go to Howard, Michele and Michael for negotiating so efficiently on our behalf - how can we ever thank you enough? Let’s now look forward to a year that will hopefully see the build of a much needed community facility.

Jackie Sands (Chairperson) and Jane Chislett (Secretary)