Village Hall Update - September 2011

Austrey village hall trustees are very sad to announce the loss of a very very valuable member of the committee.  Mr Alan Humphreys, who worked so hard and with such dedication to secure the first funding to improve the hall, lost his battle with Lukemia on Tuesday 6th September.  Our heart felt condolences go to Heather and the family, he will be missed.

On a happier note once again Austrey village hall committee would like to say 'thank you' to all the families who supported our "Mad Hatter's Tea Party" on Sunday 4th September. A great deal of fun was had by all, including the giant "Caterpillar" sliding around the floor, the "Queen of Hearts" with an axe ready to "Chop of His Head", "Tweedle Dum and Dee" organising the Tombola, and "Alice" and the "Mad Hatter" himself  serving the tea.   The children looked delightful in their fancy dress costumes and all joined in the noisy games.  A lovely Sunday afternoon which helped to swell our funds by £100. A big thank you to all who took part.

Our next fund raiser is the "Big Halloween Family Party" on Saturday 29th October starting at 6.30 pm.  Children's Fancy Dress competition.  Watch for the posters around the village.

A big thank you also to all the volunteers who came to assist us with the "Working Party" weekend.  Many projects were completed including:

• Interior of crockery cupboards cleaned and painted
• Repair to rear guttering and drains
• Exterior Black Bitumen paint applied up to Damp Course
• New floorboards stained and varnished in both rooms
• New window sills primed, undercoated and painted in both rooms
• Lower walls in large room repainted
• Interior door heat striped of all old paint
• Rear yard cleared of weeds.

A big thank you to Gerald and Sarah who continue to maintain the front lawns throughout the summer months.  Your help is invaluable.

The hall committee plan to stage an exhibition of "The Journey so Far" in the village hall starting 8th October.  This is prior to an open meeting on Sunday 16th October at 3.00 pm in the hall.  This is for all villagers to have their say on the plans, now in production, to improve the hall facilities.  A second meeting will be held on Tuesday 18th October at 7.30 pm.  Please come and have your say on the future of this lovely old building.

We are always looking for volunteers to join our small committee or just to lend a hand in any way possible, just ask any trustee - David Key, Joan Ainscow, Shelia Lashford, Anne Richardson, Jenny Key, Heather Humphreys, Tracey Liggett or Chris Moss - they will welcome your support.