Marigolds at Easter

Saturday saw another four year olds birthday party take place in the hall.  Nice people.

Today (Easter Sunday) saw Akela and the Veveri don 'marigolds' and clean out a drain at the rear of the hall.  This involved lots of scooping out gunge from the drain and just when we thought it was never clear, a bucket of water was applied and drained away very quickly.  The down pipe was refitted and rods returned to Akela.

The front door has some damage (from being left open and not being held in place) so our next job is to fir a new hinge and repair the front door.

Happy Easter!

Call 01793 741164 to hire the Calley Memorial Hall.  Bookings are brisk but we continue to make rates very comptetive.

The coming week should confirm the general election date - we are really looking forward to being Chiseldon's polling station.

Speakers and hall clean-up

Two future hirers of the hall were shown round this morning.  I swept up, emptied bins and tidied all the areas the Cub team missed on Saturday.  New loo rolls and extra paper hand towels were placed in the loo.

The Wharfdale speakers that were donated some months ago had a number of faults and one had stopped completely, so some replacements speakers were soldered into place and the DVD / CD player removed (it stopped working some weeks ago).

We now have an amplifier, two (smaller) speakers that work and a jack that will allow ipods to be plugged in.  I guess I need to ask around for a spare audio CD player to leave in the hall (do I have one in the loft myself?).

Over the weekend, it became clear that the fridge isnt cooling too well (the freezer part is fine).  We need to start looking for a replacement.

Leo printed some hall leaflets in heavy weight paper.  I fitted a leaflet pocket to the notice board and our future hirers each took a leaflet as they looked around.

We need to pay attention to the mens loos prior to polling day (the hall is planned to be the polling station for Chiseldon).  I have asked the Veveri to work with Akela during the bank holiday weekend to make the mens loo ceiling good.

Finally, Leo tells me a future hirer found us on the web (via this blog).  The power of the web eh?

Hike Over event

The Chiseldon Cub Scout section slept in the hall last night.  Prior to the sleep over, they walked 4.75 miles in very poor (read wet) weather. Upon arrival back at the hall, they were treated to a meal and then had a go at electric 'round the pole' model flying (indoors).

Many Cubs were still awake a 2am and were upset when they were 'roused' at 6:30 by leaders keen to get on with breakfast. 

The hall was a great place for the event and we look forward to many more Scouts sleeping over as they walk the Ridgeway.

Rates demand!

The annual rate demand for 2010/11 arrived today for the Calley Memorial Hall.  The hall rateable value is £1875.  The charge for the period is £776.25.  Mandatory rate reflief of £621.00 and discretionary top up relief of £155.25 leave a balance to pay of £0.00 (nothing).  This is good news for the future sustainability of hall operations.

With the general election likely to be on 6th May 10, we now expect the hall to be used as Chiseldon's polling station and have an agreement with the election team to this effect.

The weekend saw a swimming awards ceremony (followed by a disco) and a private function held by a village family. 

Update

Another weekend function was held by villagers and Scouts returned from Ferney Croft to a warm hall and somewhere out of the wind to wait for parents.

February 2010 was an impressive month for hall income (our best yet) and word is getting around about the hall being available. 

Sunday saw a Cub parent and Akela set up 'round the pole flying' ((RTP) for a future Cub session. Starting with a pole, by the end of the session an airplane was wizzing round the hall on two very thin wires.... The Cubs are going to enjoy this activity!

Busy weekend in the hall

This morning saw father Roger make use of the (ex Ridgeway Bell) 'Risograph'.  This was a freebie that I was a little sceptical about. Having read the manuals, I was worried we wouldnt be able to use the thing.  In any case, Father Roger fired up the 'printer' and proceeded to show me how to use it.  I was impressed and think that when we have a printing run bigger than (say) 50 pages, I will be using the Risograph. The Risograph is an example of a technology bridge that sits between the old band (messy) machines and  modern day photo-copier.

Goodness knows how many parties we have had in the hall, but this afternoon saw one more, - complete with bouncy castle, music, wine for the adults and loads of Chiseldon young people (very young indeed).  The party looked a great sucess and it underlines the fact that we do have an operational success on our hands.

Tomorrow sees another birthday party ~ I think its for an eleven year old and on Monday we are hosting a reception post a funeral.

Seizing a gap in the weather, the diamond cut slot we cut into the path at the rear of the hall, was filled with mortar.  Combined with some tidying up and the back of the hall is looking much better.

I noticed some paint is peeling off in the hallway (entrance) to the hall.  This may be due to condensation, so an inspection of the wall will be carried out in the next few days.  You never know, I may even paint the wall again!

Polling Station?

This morning we were visited by a member of the election team.  She had a look at the hall (and kitchen) and was very keen to take us up on the offer of using the hall as a polling station.  She took some photo's of the inside and outside of the hall and should be in contact with us in a few days. 

Beavers and Scouts have already been warned that they can't use the hall on an election day... when that might be is anyones guess, - my money is on Thursday 6th May!