North Hall Loxwood - Winter Warmth Project

Aim

We need your help to keep North Hall open, warm and accessible this winter despite the huge increase in our energy costs.

Who are we?

North Hall is the only village hall serving the rural village of Loxwood and its environs, and has played a central part in community life for over 80 years. The project to build a village hall for Loxwood’s community was driven and largely funded by a local benefactor Major North and his family.  The foundation stone was laid in 1937 and hall finished by 1939.  The Hall is run by volunteers through a committee which represents the varied community interests in the sought after village of Loxwood.  

Community impact

The founding principle of North Hall is "The provision and maintenance of a village hall for the use of the inhabitants of the Parish of Loxwood without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for meeting, lectures and classes, and for other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants".

That principle continues today as North Hall is used by an average of 250 people on a regular monthly basis.   In addition, 1500 people visit during the annual events.  North Hall has 20 regular volunteers, no paid staff and approximately 150 volunteers for large events.  North Hall enjoys a very high level of occupancy from regulars users:  Pilates, Bridge Club, Badminton, Junior Art Club, Table Tennis, VM Dance, Performing Arts, Caterpillars toddler, Lunch Club, North Singers, Zumba, Jazz Club and Film Nights.

In addition to these regular users we have a very lively uptake for parties, weddings, ad-hoc meetings, the local Poddle, cycle races, camping facilities, the local youth football team and  the annual village fete.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding because the recent energy price hike is estimated to increase our costs this winter SIX-FOLD. Because of the frequently short notice given and the extremes in age groups – from mothers and toddlers to the very elderly – it is our policy to heat the hall continuously during operating hours so that users can be sure of a pleasant environment at whatever time they choose to use the village hall.  

To ensure that North Hall continues to be accessible to all groups we want to maintain our low hire fees whilst keeping the hall warm for users. We are investing our resources into new sustainable energy solutions,  but before that project is complete, we are seeking the kind support of the local community to help us keep North Hall warm and accessible this winter. 

How we’ll spend the money raised

The money raised will be spent helping our immediate energy costs so we don't have to raise our hire fees or postpone our sustainable energy project. 

This project successfully funded on 16th February 2023