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MANOR HALL TRUST

August is usually a quiet month in the hall due to summer holidays, however we still kept busy with the Pub Night, Pam and Co's Coffee Afternoon and Karen's Quiz Night.

With the future of The Globe still up in the air we had another Pub Night on 9th September and raised a glass to Queen Elizabeth. We should like to thank all those who came and supported the nights, and special thanks to Shaun and Sam, Ray and Tom for being in charge of the BBQ's. We shall of course keep an eye on what happens with The Globe and organise more pub nights if the situation remains the same.

In addition to the Trustee-led activities, we are always thankful when others host their own events and donate their profits to the Hall. The Quiz evenings organised by Karen, Phil and Lyn fall into this category and are now providing a regular financial support for which we are very grateful. Other people have also organised their own one-off events and are kindly donating their profits to the Hall, for which we are very grateful.

Please keep supporting all the activities that you can and don't forget if you want to hire the Hall, please contact Yvonne at yvonnefrancis10@gmail.com or 07961692411.

Finally, but importantly, the Manor Hall Trustees would like to express their sincere thanks to Judie for her generous support over the years.

Sharon Gleeson
[07823881455]

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 15TH JUNE 2022
Chairman's Report

Finally, after two difficult years with us all having to deal with a dreadful pandemic, the hall welcomed groups and activities back in. The first of these events being our Summer Fete. It was still unable to be totally back to normal but none-the-less it was another successful fundraiser for the hall.

In September the hall looked resplendent in fairy lights and flowers as it hosted a beautiful wedding for a village couple who had patiently waited almost two years after their intended date.

In October we held another successful Fashion Show in conjunction with the Ilfracombe clothes shop Clathers. Lots of happy ladies enjoying a glass of Prosecco with friends while watching the local models strut their stuff!

In the half term the Pre-school had a face lift with some new flooring, repainting and some general updating.

Having had a few years without a Christmas Fayre, it was decided that we should run our own, so on Sunday 5th December the hall had several craft and gift stalls, refreshments and even a visit from Father Christmas. It was an enjoyable and well attended event particularly as covid restrictions and concerns were still present, and so it is hoped to repeat it again this year. December also saw the return of a Wreath Making session in the hall with many a splendid wreath and table decoration created with the skillful help of Sue Neale.

It was a quiet start to the year with a handful of bookings outside the user groups. In April, Pam very kindly offered to start a monthly Coffee and Cakes Afternoon. It has proved very popular and a fantastic fundraiser so it is hoped to continue throughout the summer months.

With the sad closure of our village pub, Karen came up with the good idea to have the Sunday Night Pub Quiz in the hall instead. This has also been very popular enabling people to get together for some light-hearted fun whilst raising funds for the hall.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee saw the hall as the main venue for the celebrations. The organising committee did an excellent job at devising a weekend that enabled all ages of our community to come together to celebrate this unique occasion.

The extortionate rise in utility bills will unfortunately be a testing time for community buildings such as our hall but I have no doubt that with the continued hard work and dedication by the hall's Trustees, along with the fantastic support of the village, it will continue to provide a safe and pleasant place for all the residents to enjoy.

Julia Fairchild - Chairman

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The Manor Hall had its AGM on Wednesday 15th June with a new Committee voted in. Julia stood down after five years as Chairman. Huge thanks were given to her for all her hard work during her 'reign'. It is acknowledged that she will be a hard act to follow, but I aim to do my best!

Whilst the pub has been closed, the hall has hosted the fortnightly Sunday Quiz which has been enjoyed by many, including some visitors to the village who commented on our great community spirit. A special thank you to Karen, Phil and Lynn for leading on this. As you will see below, we also hope to host a fortnightly Pub Night to give us all a chance to socialise on a Friday evening.

Pam and Jan's Coffee Afternoons are continuing to be a great success. Every month there has been a wonderful selection of home-made cakes thanks to the support of so many people in the village. You are quite a talented lot! If you have yet to contribute and would like to make a cake, please do let Pam know, and if you haven't been along yet, you really don't know what you're missing! The village celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee were enjoyed by all. How lovely it was to end a fabulous weekend with the Bring & Share and a sing-song in the hall.

The rising energy costs are hitting us all hard and this includes the hall. We, the Trustees, will be working hard organising fund raising events, and with the continued support of the village we hope our lovely hall will be enjoyed for many more years to come. With that in mind, please see below dates for your diary:

• Pub Night at the hall - Friday 5th August 6.00 to 10.00 p.m.
• Coffee Afternoon - Wednesday 24th August 2.00 to 4.00 p.m.
• Dinner/Dance - Saturday 1st October

Hope to see you all there.

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If you would like to run a fund-raising event or have ideas to share, please let us know.

Sharon Gleeson - Chairman [07823881455]>
Bookings - yvonnefrancis10@gmail.com

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FROM THE MANOR HALL

The Hall has lots of exciting bookings this summer and autumn with the Jubilee Celebrations, weddings, afternoon teas and a dinner and dance all to look forward to.

Thank you to everyone who joined Pam and Jan at the first of their afternoon tea sessions. It was a beautiful sunny day and the hall had a wonderful happy atmosphere, raising £266 which is brilliant! Thank you everyone who helped and donated cakes.

With the [let's hope temporary] closure of the pub, Karen [as if she isn't busy enough!] came up with an excellent suggestion of bringing the Sunday Night Pub Quiz to the hall and donating the money raised to the hall. It was a great success with over 40 people attending - thank you Karen(s) for running the show and Paul as stand-in quiz master ably assisted by Ted. A very respectable £186 was raised and we hope to continue these Sunday quiz evenings on a fortnightly basis until further notice.

Our next meeting is our AGM to be held in the hall on Wednesday, 15th June at 7.00 p.m. - everyone is welcome and we should be delighted to see some new faces!

We very much hope that the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend is a warm and sunny one, but whatever the weather our wonderful village hall will be here to warmly welcome everyone to celebrate this momentous occasion. See you there!

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]
Bookings - yvonnefrancis10@gmail.com

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MANOR HALL TRUST

Thankfully this winter has proved to be mostly kind to the Hall with only a few really frosty days and the storms that we have had luckily did not do too much damage.

But, the entire roof both on the Manor House wing, including the Pre-school extension and the main hall roof, are starting to show their age. For many years, if the wind is in a certain direction combined with heavy rain, there has been a puddle in the hall which is now starting to develop into more of a lake when this happens.

The other large and looming fact is that the heating costs are soaring and with such a large space to heat it is difficult to believe that we shall be able to afford to keep the Hall warm for small groups next winter. The Trustees will continue to do everything in their power to keep the Hall going and our fundraising events are more than ever before essential to help pay for running costs. With this in mind, please try and support our events where you can.

Our next fundraiser is on Saturday 30th April and is an 80's [with a touch of the 70's] Disco with a professional DJ and a cheese and pate supper included in the ticket. The last time we held this event it proved very popular, fancy dress is optional but it definitely adds to the fun! Reasonably priced alcohol will be on sale. Tickets are available from Sharon on 07823881455 or from the village Shop.

We should like to thank Emma and her family for generously donating money to the Hall from her late mother's funeral collection.

With the Queen's Platinum Jubilee being celebrated this year, we have decided not to have a fete in the summer but to have an Autumn Ball on Saturday 1st October with posh frocks [tiaras optional!] We hope to make this a special event with a live band booked, a hot supper and the Hall decorated fit for a Queen! More details will follow in the next Newsletter but please put the date in your diary. We should really love to make this an evening to remember as the Queen's Jjubilee year comes to a close.

We wish you all a very Happy Easter.

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]
Bookings - yvonnefrancis10@gmail.com

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MANOR HALL TRUST

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]
Bookings - yvonnefrancis10@gmail.com

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

Autumn has continued to go well in the Hall with several successful fundraisers for the hall and other groups, along with private functions.

The Fashion Night, hosted by Clathers, was another fun evening with a reduced, but nonetheless jolly, crowd of ladies encouraging the 'supermodels' on! A very respectable £700 was raised which will go towards the cost of a new water heater and water boiler for making large numbers of teas and coffees.

Congratulations to Helen and Josh who celebrated their Wedding in the Hall in September. It was the first big wedding in the hall since covid and the hall looked absolutely gorgeous - the couple and their family and friends transformed it with flowers and twinkly lights to create a beautiful village wedding. We look forward to welcoming our 2022 weddings.

We have received a generous donation from Barbera Eales in Alan's memory and we shall be putting the money towards our kitchen revamp, so a big thank you to Barbara.

Many thanks also go to Ben Ede who gave a generous donation when booking his family's recent celebration in the hall in memory of Peter and Jean Pell.

Our latest Beaford Arts collaboration had a well-attended hall toe tapping to the excellent Moscow Drug Club with a jazzy take on some old classics. Thanks go to Fenella for organising the show which made a very healthy profit of £180 for the hall. The Bristol band seemed to enjoy themselves so hopefully they will come back to Berrynarbor!

We have a new system for booking the Hall. This should be done in the first place by sending an e-mail giving full details of the required booking to: yvonnefrancis10@gmail.com.

December is a busy time, along with private bookings we have our Christmas Fayre on Sunday 5th December, Berry in Bloom Festive Quiz on Friday 10th December and Wreath Making on Saturday 11th December.

We wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

 

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]
Bookings - yvonnefrancis10@gmail.com

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Finally, we welcome back our regular user groups this Autumn with no restrictions or boring risk assessments.The only safety concession to the 'C' word is slightly smaller numbers for the larger gatherings.

Over the summer, the Pre-school had its turn with updating - freshly painted walls, new flooring and some general updating in the toilets were completed.

We are delighted to report that our Summer Fete was able to go ahead this year and we were blessed with a lovely day. We send our very grateful thanks to all our helpers who made this day so successful with a very respectable total of £1750 raised. It was a fun-filled family afternoon with locals and holidaymakers alike enjoying a drink and a burger, the skittles, coconut shy and other games were popular and as usual Wendy and Co's cake stall was a big draw with all their homemade cakes selling out fast.

Our next fundraiser is our Fashion Show on Thursday, 21st October at 7.00 p.m. in the hall. Once again, the popular Ilfracombe ladies fashion shop, Clathers, will be presenting their autumn collection.Tickets are £5, to include nibbles and a glass of prosecco, and are available from Sharon on 07823881455, numbers

will be limited, so get your tickets soon to avoid disappointment.

On Friday, 5th November, the hall will be hosting The Moscow Drug Club in association with Beaford Arts [don't panic, we are not turning to drugs to supplement our income!]. This is a very successful 5-piece band of professional musicians and performers combing jazz, cabaret and storytelling. This will be a BYO drinks [nibbles provided] evening- look out for the posters for more details and booking information.

On Saturday 5^th December we will be holding a Christmas Fayre, table are available to hire and for full details please contact Caroline on 07525040060.

Then on Saturday, 11th December we shall be having a Christmas Wreath and Table Decoration workshop kindly demonstrated by Sue Neale. Refreshments and most equipment necessary, will be included to make a gorgeous wreath for your front door and or a festive table decoration to adorn your Christmas Day table. Please contact me, Julia, on 01271 882783 to book a place.

So, along with a Quiz Night on the 16^tth October run by the Berry in Bloom team, there is a busy time ahead in our lovely village hall - we look forward to welcoming you all.

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]

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THE MANOR HALL

Things have remained largely the same this past couple of months in the hall, with only a small number of user groups, but with the lifting of restrictions it is very much hoped that things can safely start returning back to normal and by the autumn all of our regular groups will be happily back with us.

Over the summer holidays it is the Pre-school's turn to have a much needed 'make over' with among other things some painting, new flooring and better and more energy efficient lighting installed.

We should like to thank Berry in Bloom for once again providing some lovely baskets and tubs, also along with the Pre-school children and staff, they have developed a lovely spot next to the shed - it looks so much better than the nettles!

When the birds have finished their nesting, we plan to give the Birdswell Lane hedge a thorough trim and tidy up in time for our Fete on Sunday 22nd August. Tables are available to hire - please contact Sharon [07823881455] if you would like to rent one. Once again, a plea: helpers would be very much appreciated, either to man a stall or with contributions to our raffles.

Have a happy and safe 'unlocking' summertime.

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]

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NEWS FROM THE MANOR HALL

Hurrah - we are finally fully open again!

Whilst we've been closed, Gary our caretaker has done a sterling job making sure all is well and keeping the weeds, dust and cobwebs at bay! A big thank you to Lloyd for donating his time and tiles for the window sills - take a look when you are next in the hall - they look lovely. Thank you also to Alan and Rob for going over the paint work and giving the kitchen a fresh coat of paint.

There is a list of groups/clubs that meet in the Hall with days/time and who to contact in this Newsletter edition [thank you Ed], so please take a look to see if you might fancy joining one, and we are always open to further suggestions!

Please can we put in an early request for anyone happy to make a cake for our Fete on 22nd August. Also, items for the bottle, bric-a-brac and raffle stalls would be most welcome. Please contact us if you can help in this or any other way.

Our AGM will be held on Wednesday 21st July 2021 at 7.00 pm in the Hall and all are welcome.

Fingers crossed for a lovely warm sunny summer with no further restrictions in sight!

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072

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Disappointingly Hall news continues to be sparse as once again it comes during lockdown and so we continue to be shut. Light is, of course, hopefully at the end of the tunnel and so we very much hope to be welcoming groups and bookings back into the hall over the next few months.

In the mean time we'll be spring cleaning inside and out, and giving the kitchen a fresh coat of paint.

We hope to make our Summer Fete in August an extra special village event, so as we start to organise it, we should love to receive ideas on how we can do this and make the day enjoyable for all ages in our community. Please contact us if you have thoughts on this and or if you would like to offer help on the day - any help would be very much appreciated

Best wishes to you all from the Hall Committee

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]

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MANOR HALL NEWS

It goes without saying but for obvious reasons the Main Hall and Snooker Club are now closed again [Pre-school continues to be open] as at the time of writing we are now in our third lockdown. Very difficult and disappointing times, but of course necessary to keep our community safe.

Thank you very much to Wendy and Colin and their team of Carol Singing in the square organisers, who gave half the donations to the Hall; also Judie and the Newsletter who kindly gave a proportion of the Christmas Message contributions to the Hall. Both these donations are very much appreciated.

Our only hall event since the Covid chaos began was a welcome respite. Beauty and the Beast, produced in conjunction with Beaford Arts, was enjoyed by young and old in a very covid secure hall - in other words a bit chilly, as amongst other covid precautions, the doors and windows had to be open! The show had a nice local twist as the story was adapted to incorporate our local area including Berrynarbor and Exmoor. A big thank you to John and Fenella for organising the event, and thank you, too, for donations given on the day from the audience.

With a positive attitude for 2021, we have set a date of Saturday 21st August for our village fete, followed by live music in the evening for what is greatly hoped to be an evening of dancing and celebrating that there is no longer a need for stringent restrictions - fingers crossed! This event will take a lot of organising and with that in mind if you think you would like to join our Hall Team of Trustees, we should very much welcome new faces, and if you are new to the village it is a great way to get to know people.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]

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MANOR HALL NEWS

AGM 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 CHAIR REPORT

Firstly, apologies that this year's AGM is for obviously reasons overdue.

Our year from April 2019-20 was another successful fundraising year for the Hall with several well attended events. We reintroduced the summer fete in August which was blessed with a lovely sunny day. It was a successful day with locals and holidaymakers alike enjoying a traditional village fete. In November we had a new event in the form of a Ladies Night. The Ilfracombe clothes shop Clathers showcased their stock to a packed hall of ladies who enjoyed nibbles and a glass of Prosecco whilst watching local models showing off Clathers' winter collection. It was a highly enjoyable and fun evening raising over £2000. We had hoped to repeat the format with their spring collection but this obviously sadly had to be postponed. In December we had another first with a Christmas Wreath making day. Our annual Christmas Coffee Morning went ahead as usual and the first [and it turned out to be the last] 2020 fundraiser was a Pancake Morning enjoyed by young and old.

Once again, we thank the many generous donations from various groups within the village, the donations from these events are most appreciated.

The entrance to the Pre-school and Snooker Club had a much-needed makeover, kindly done by our fantastic painting volunteers. A large new shed was constructed outside which enables us to store among other things our plastic chairs and gazebos. The wooden barge boards on the gable end and the front of the main hall have been renewed. We have been awarded a grant from the Parish Council to help towards the replacement of the rotten bay windows in the main hall, this current project is delayed with planning issues.

It is with regret that we failed to seek listed building consent for the large rear hall window replaced a year ago and this has been notified to the planning office and an enforcement officer subsequently visited the hall. This has resulted in a request for its removal along with the other windows at the rear of the Pre-school that were installed many years previously without consent. Naturally this is disappointing news but we shall endeavour to put right our mistake.

At this present time the hall is once again closed due to Covid-19 and so this report was presented via Zoom. I very much hope that 2021 brings better times for us all. If you would like to see a full copy of the minutes of the 2020 AGM, including the financial report, please contact either myself or Alan.

Despite that at the time of writing we are under another lockdown, we very much hope that we'll be able to hold a planned Christmas Story in the hall in conjunction with Beaford Arts on Tuesday 22nd December. Posters with details of this will be up around the village as soon as we know the situation. Obviously, it will be under Covid secure restrictions and so tickets will be limited.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a much happier and safer 2021.

Julia Fairchild - Chairman [882783]
Alan Hamilton - Treasurer [07905445072]

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MANOR HALL NEWS

Berrynarbor Manor Hall Trust CIO 11619090

The Hall is now open again, but obviously with some quite strict covid precautions.

Users will need to fill in and sign a risk assessment, along with a special covid hire agreement, all necessary to comply with the Government guidelines to be 'Covid Secure'.

The rule of 6 does not apply to Educational activities; the Government are keen to keep community buildings open and allow activities for social interaction to continue where there is a demand, providing all guidelines are adhered to. Understandably, there are certain groups where it would be impossible to comply and/or are not comfortable returning at his stage. Parties and other large gatherings are presently not permitted.

Naturally the hall's income is dramatically reduced with lots of planned activities and events sadly cancelled over the summer and into the winter, but thankfully with the Pre-school, Parish Room and Snooker Club rent, along with the Government grant, we have sufficient funds to keep the hall maintained until things improve.

Our already overdue AGM was due to be held in October. We will keep you informed as to when we can safely reschedule.

If in the meantime you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Manor Hall Trustees
Chairman: Julia Fairchild [882783]
Treasurer: Alan Hamilton [07905445072]

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MANOR HALL NEWS

We recently sent out to our main user groups a survey as to when they would be comfortable to return along with the details of the necessary risk assessments they would need to complete and comply to. Most of the groups would like to start back in the autumn at the earliest if the government guidelines say it continues to be safe to do so and the guidelines are manageable. With understandably no current bookings, the main hall will remain closed until September.

The Pre-school continues to operate under strict guidelines until the end of the summer term.

The Snooker Club is able to start back under very strict guidelines and only after the Pre-school has finished. So good news for those who enjoy a game of snooker - play safe chaps!

Thank you very much to Berry in Bloom for continuing to care for the tubs at the hall, they look lovely, it is a great shame more people are not able to admire them this year.

We sincerely hope to bring you some better news in the next edition of this Newsletter. Until then keep safe and well and enjoy the summer.

The Hall Trustees

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

It goes without saying that of course the hall has been closed since lockdown and sadly will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

The good news is that we have managed to secure a grant to help ensure that we can keep paying our bills such as insurance and utility standing orders.

Prior to corona virus, we had already received a grant from our Parish Council to fund the replacement of the front facia boards and guttering. Now with the slight adjustment to lockdown, the scaffolding will be going up and the works able to start. The grant will also fund the replacement of the playground-end windows, which will hopefully go ahead in early July, subject to continued government guidelines.

We very much hope that you are all keeping well and that we can welcome you back into our dear hall as soon as it is safely possible.

Julia - Chairman & Bookings - and the Trustees

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

We were very much looking forward to a productive 2020 on the fundraising front, but unfortunately

the Coronavirus may curtail some of our planned events.

We have been rigorously following the guide lines that we have been given to keep people safe but of course if you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact myself or anyone on the committee for further details.

On a more cheerful note, our first fundraiser of the year was a lovely day of pancake eating and flipping. Thank you to all who came along and thank you to the spinners who kindly allowed us to gate crash their session! The Pre-school children came over and enjoyed trying to toss a pancake in the air - needless to say, that particular pancake did not get eaten!

The hallway leading into the Pre-school and the snooker room has had a well overdue makeover. A very big thank you to our Treasurer, Alan, for leading the charge and to Ray, Phil, Nigel, Tim and Gary for kindly giving up their time to help - it looks great!

Our new shed is now finished and in use which has enabled us to keep the hall nice and clear. Our next project is to renew all the front barge boards and guttering so expect to see scaffolding going up soon, please take care around it and apologies for any inconvenience it may cause.

Back by popular demand is our Ladies Fashion Night, the date is Tuesday 28th April at 7.00 p.m. Tickets are available from the Shop and Clathers Clothes Shop on the Harbour in Ilfracombe. Ticket price is £5.00 to include a glass of 'sparkly'. We had a great night last year so please come along and join the fun!

Julia - Chairman and Bookings - and the Trustees

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

November and December were a very busy couple of months for the hall with lots of bookings including coffee mornings, children's parties, family parties, school and pre-school Christmas activities and of course a general election!

The hall hosted a fundraiser Wreath Making afternoon on the 30th November with 17 jolly ladies producing some very lovely wreaths to adorn their front doors. A big thank you to Denny who kindly gave up her time to collect all the greenery and expertly demonstrate how to make the perfect wreath, and who also generously donated the beautiful wreath that splendidly resided on the hall front door over the Christmas period. Thank you too to John and Fenella who kindly supplied all the foliage for the afternoon.

Thank you to all who attended our Christmas coffee morning on the 14th December - thankfully the weather was much better than last year, so it was lovely to welcome a nice number of people to our fabulously festive looking hall.

2020 is going to be another exciting year for our hall. Already our first project of a new shed is nearly completed which will enable us to regain space in the Bassett Room so the blue chairs can go back in. New guttering and fascia boards along with the replacement of the large kitchen end windows are planned for late winter/early spring.

To help pay for this, we have a busy year of fundraising planned which includes - among other things - another Summer Fete and an Autumn Dinner Dance along with a Beaford Arts production of Romeo and Juliet [2020 version] and our own Christmas Fayre, but our first will be a Pancake Afternoon in the Manor Hall on Shrove Tuesday,

25th February. Look out for more details on posters in early February. So, along with all the other bookings in the hall we have a lot to look forward to.

We wish you all a very happy 2020 and thank you for your continued support.

Julia [Chairman & Bookings] and the Trustees

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Well, our first venture into women's fashion was a great success with ticket sales being over subscribed for the Ladies Night which was held on the 6th of November. Over 90 jolly ladies [helped by a glass or two of Prosecco!] squeezed into the hall to enjoy a very entertaining show of clothes, jewellery and handbags, along with treatments from Beauty at the Beach from Combe Martin and skin care from Tropical. The whole evening raised just under £650 for the hall so thank you to all who attended.

A big thank you must also go to Bernadette and her team from Clathers of Ilfracombe who worked so hard and gave us a very generous £250 donation along with some lovely raffle prizes. Well done to all our brilliant models, some of whom were familiar village faces and who really got into the spirit of things. There is no doubt they will be receiving phone calls from Dolce and Gabbana before too long!

Lastly, we must once again thank all our hard-working Hall Trustees and including their partners, for all their help and especially our chef de cuisine, Caroline, for her delicious canapes. We very much hope to be putting on a Spring/Summer Ladies Night, so look out for the date in the New Year and buy your tickets early!

Sadly, we are bidding a fond farewell to Alison our Bookings Clerk who has been part of the Hall management for many years. Alison has been such a hardworking, dedicated and well-liked member of the team, going down to the hall all hours of the day and night, rain or shine to let people in or to sort out any problems. She will be sorely missed. We send her and Trevor our grateful thanks and best wishes.

Lastly on Saturday 14th December we have our Christmas Coffee Morning between 10.00 a.m. and 12 noon. Please join us for a coffee or mulled wine and mince pie.

A very Happy Christmas and New Year to you all

Julia [Chairman & Bookings]

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MANOR HALL TRUST
CIO 1169090

Once again, we have had a busy time in the hall.During the summer we decorated the Bassett Room and the toilets, thanks again to all the kind volunteers who gave up their free time to help.New rear windows have been installed at the back of the hall, bringing some welcome natural light and a pretty view of the Pre-school garden.Thank you for all the pleasant comments we have received.

Our Summer Fete held on the August Bank Holiday was a lovely sunny afternoon with a very popular bar, the Pimm's went especially well! We welcomed Paddington and Rhubarb, the miniature donkeys, who naturally proved popular with all the visitors old and young. This had been the first fete to raise funds for the hall in a few years and we should like to say a huge thank you to all those who helped to set it up, baked, ran a stall or who generously donated towards prizes or helped in any other way.It was a great afternoon and we were delighted with the total raised of just under £1200.We very much hope to return the fete back to an annual event.

There are two fundraisers planned for November. The first is a Ladies Night. The format will be a fashion show with a collection of clothes, shoes and handbags available to purchase on the night, along with stalls offering skin care products. The date is yet to be confirmed but posters will be up shortly and the entry fee will include a glass of wine or Prosecco and nibbles.

On Saturday 23rd November, Beaford Arts will be presenting a show called 'Little Earthquakes', a comedy based on the '80's film, Ghostbusters.The posters should be out now and the tickets are available from the Post Office.

Looking further ahead, we'll be having our usual Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday 14th December, fingers crossed the weather will be kinder to us this year!

By the time this Newsletter goes to print we shall have hopefully started a Table Tennis club in the hall.

Please contact either myself or Alison for details, all ages and abilities welcome for a bit of ping pong fun!

Julia [Chair] 882783
Alison [Bookings] 882782

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Fun at the Fete!

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THE MANOR HALL TRUST

Thank you to those who attended our AGM in June, there were some helpful contributions. The minutes of this meeting can be found on the Village Website.

Our last fund-raising event was the 80's Disco in May, when we enjoyed a fun evening with many excellent fancy-dress outfits! It was also nice to see some new faces.

At the end of July, the Bassett Room will have had a makeover and we hope to have a new outdoor shed for storage by early September.

Our next big fund-raiser is our Fete on Sunday, 25th August from 3.00 p.m. This will be a traditional style fete with lots of fun things for all ages, including stalls, BBQ, plant stall, cream teas, games and much more! Please make a note of the date and come and support us if you can.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Julia [Chair] 882783.
Allison [Bookings] 882782, Alan [Treasurer] 07905445072

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MANOR HALL TRUST

Julia [Chair] 882783
Alison [Bookings] 882782, Alan [Treasurer] 07905445072

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MANOR HALL TRUST

All being well, by the time you are reading this Newsletter the refurbishment to the hall floor will be well underway and fingers crossed the contractors have not found anything that will extend the works.

Thank you to John and Fenella for allowing us to use their barn for chair storage whilst the work is being carried out.

Our final fundraiser in the hall before the closure was a great success and the Acorns entertained us excellently, and we are extremely grateful to them for doing this for free.

Once again, a huge thank you must go to Wendy [and Colin, of course] and all her team who did another fantastic job of making and serving a delicious supper - thank you all very much. The evening raised a terrific £909.

Further fundraisers are being planned for the spring and summer. We have decided not to go ahead with a Mr. & Mrs. Night as it was thought this might incur some unpleasant divorce proceedings, which in turn could mean a sudden surge in For Sale signs around the village!

Any ideas for fundraisers and or activities that you think might be good to do in the hall would be gratefully received.

Happy Easter!

Julia

Chairman: Julia Fairchild [882783] Bookings: Alison Sharples [882782]

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FROM THE MANOR HALL TRUST

CIO 11619090

Well done to those who braved the hideously wet and windy weather on our Christmas Coffee Morning and enjoyed a drink and a mince pie, We still managed to raise over £100 towards our funds, so a big thank you to all who came along. Joseph apologises for not making it but he was tucked up in his warm dry stable after a busy night walking the village the evening before with the school!

Thank you to the Berry in Bloom group for generously donating £154 from their Carols in the Square evening, another lovely village community occasion.

Our next big fundraiser is our Race Night on Saturday 23rd February. There will be a hot supper [included in the ticket] and a bar. Tickets are available from the Village Shop. Please join us for this fun evening.

Regular users of the Hall will be aware of the now serious problem we have with the floor. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to close the Hall from Monday 11th March for a period of 4 weeks to enable the repairs and to decorate afterwards. A big thank you to Nick and Barry at The Globe who have kindly said where possible user groups can use their back room free of charge. The Pre-school room and Men's Institute will not be affected.

Julia

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NEWS FROM THE MANOR HALL

First of all, we must apologise to all our user groups who have unfortunately been experiencing teething problems with our new heating system. At the time of writing we have had frustrating meter installation delays resulting in us not being able to use all the heaters. This should now be resolved and we shall have set the daily time and temperature needs appropriate for the group using the hall. There will also be instructions by the thermostat.

You may also notice that there is now heating in the Bassett Room and toilets which hopefully will help with damp and cold issue that this area has suffered with for many years. Please note that chairs must not be stored directly in front of the wall heater in this room as it will get hot, we are awaiting a cage to go over it.

A big thank you to Martin who has spent many an hour at the hall dealing with all of this.

New security lights have now been installed outside the porch and on the corner of the Penn Curzon room making it safer for evening time users.

Our Auction of Promises Evening on Saturday the 10th November was a great success and an excellent £1500 was raised. We should like to say a very big thank you to all the individuals and businesses who gave so generously and, of course, to all the magnanimous bidders and winners. Thank you, too, to Tony who did a great job as our Auctioneer and Phil who kindly provided us with music.

On Saturday the 15th December, between 10.00 a.m. 12.00 mid-day, we'll be holding another Christmas Coffee Morning at the Hall and once again we'll be welcoming Joseph, the donkey, for a pat. Please come along and enjoy a hot drink [or something stronger!] with a slice of cake or mince pie.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Julia Fairchild - Chairman

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MANOR HALL TRUST

Our Annual General Meeting was held on the 4th September and attended by 15 members of the public.

Officers: We said goodbye with a big thank you to Denny Reynolds, Phil Compton, Louise Baddick, Jim Constantine and Len Narborough.

Remaining as Trustees are Karen, Alison, Alan, Martin, Ben and myself, and we welcome Helen Knox, our new Secretary, and Mandy Sykes, our Health and Safety Officer. We have a busy time ahead of us - it is both positive and exciting!

This month we also said goodbye and thank you to Abby, our cleaner for the past ten years and welcome Gary Sykes, our new Cleaner and Caretaker.

Work to improve the Hall and facilities is on-going and it is hoped to start work on new heating shortly.

Our next fundraising social event is on Saturday, 10th November, when we are holding a small Auction of Promises evening coupled with a light supper [bring your own drinks!] - posters giving full details will be out in early October. If you are able to make a Promise, please do get in touch with one of the Trustees.

If you have any suggestions for events, either as a fund raiser or a nice social evening, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Trustees and we'll be happy to try and organise it.

Julia - Chairman

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MANOR HALLTRUST

We are happy to report that the main hall roof has had some remedial repairs to stop the leak we have been experiencing for some time. We are now in the process of acquiring advice and quotes for a new heating system for which we very much hope to be able to give you a schedule of works in the next edition of the Newsletter- fingers crossed!

We are delighted that our recent push for new Trustee members has resulted in a successful recruitment of 3 new members. This will hopefully take pressure off our current team and bring fresh ideas and skills.

A huge thank you to Judith Adam and her helpers on the second successful Military Wives Choir Evening, from which we received a very welcome share of the profits of £830 - an amazing achievement!

At our July meeting we welcomed David Rowe, a successful bid writer and fund finder, who is generously giving us his time and knowledge free to help us access funding. Again, we hope to be able to report some positive news on funding this autumn.

Please can we politely remind car owners that the clearly inadequate parking facilities at the Hall needs to be used with consideration, and it is strictly for the use of people that are in the Hall buildings and is not to be used as a car park while visiting other places in the village.

Finally, we will be holding a fundraiser in the Hall, Auction of Promises on Saturday 10th November. Previously, this has been a very successful way of fundraising and if you have something you can give in the way of a Promise or Gift to be auctioned, please contact a trustee - thank you.

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MANOR HALL TRUST

Thank you very much to everyone who joined us for our 'Strictly come Dancing' evening. It was a fun evening and everybody had a good time attempting to find their inner strictly whilst helping to raise valuable funds for the hall. We were able to use our new PA system for the evening, and a big thank you to Martin for once again giving up his time installing it for us.

Wendy and her excellent cake baking Berry in Bloomers have very generously offered to help raise money for the hall by helping run a Devon cream tea afternoon combined with a Slide Show on the history of our village by Tom Bartlett. So, if you like delicious cakes and would be interested to know more about your village's history, this will be a lovely afternoon. The date is Saturday 2nd June and details of this event appear later in this Newsletter.

This year we are holding a good old-fashioned village fete, the Berry Revels, on Saturday 21st July. Lots of fun and games for all the family. Our plans hope to include donkey rides, face painting, stalls, raffle, crafts, refreshments, including cakes, BBQ and bar, music and lots more. If you or your user group can help in anyway, please get in touch with one of our Trustees.

If you have been to the hall recently you will see that we have scaffolding up in order to sort our roof and chimney leak. Please take care around it and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Our previously mentioned Community Fundraising Scheme to raise money for the hall and save money on your bills is now up and running. For more information have a look at www.utilitywarehouse.org.uk/K81288, call 0337773212 and give our appeal number K82188, or just have a chat with Alan Hamilton on 07905445072 to see how you and the Manor Hall can benefit.

And finally, yet more fundraising and fun are in the planning stage as we hope to hold a Barn Dance in the hall in August or early September, so, please look out for the posters!

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NEWS FROM THE MANOR HALL

• Chairman: Julia Fairchild [882783]
• Secretary: Natalie Stanbury [882252]
• Bookings: Alison Sharples [882782]
• Louise Baddick, Jim Constantine, Karen Coppin [Treasurer], Phil Crompton, Alan Hamilton, Martin Johns, Len Narborough, Denny Reynolds

Despite enduring a rather long and harsh winter, our dear old hall is still standing with so far, no new leaks or burst pipes. We have tried hard to keep it as warm as we can with our inadequate heating system, so unfortunately, we do expect some high bills to come in.

A big thank you to Be and Richard Gingell for their generous donation from the excellent Soup and Pud night, the money will go towards our new PA and sound system. The TAP funding application through the Parish Council was successful, so a big thank you to them for their continued support. These two windfalls will enable us to replace the sound system without using our own precious funds.

Date for the diary:

We still have two vacancies for Trustees. If you feel you could help the village and the Manor Hall in this way, or would like more information, please contact one of the Trustees above.

Finally, we wish Don, Edith and Karen all the very best and thank them sincerely for all the support they have given the Hall over the years.

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MANOR HALL TRUST

Charitable incorporated Organisation 1169090

Firstly, may we thank our editor Judie and the Newsletter for kindly giving a generous donation to the Hall to go towards lights for next Christmas. It will be great to be able to make the outside of the Hall look as lovely as the centre of the village.On that subject, thank you to all who came and enjoyed a coffee or mulled wine in the hall in December, it was nice to see lots of familiar faces.A big thank you to Jane and Martin for bringing their sweet donkey Joseph, he was a big hit and so very well behaved!

Plans for 2018 so far - the annoying leak in the main hall is being mended in February. The PA/sound system is being replaced with one that works! The little cooker in the kitchen is being replaced and a range style one is being installed. We are looking into improving the outside security/safety lighting and marking up the car parking area.Sadly, we cannot tell you that a new floor and heating system are going in yet but we hope to have news of our lottery bid in the next issue.

Fundraising is going to be a big priority this year, so look out for posters: a 70/80's Disco is in the pipeline along with a Bingo Night and a 'Strictly Come Dancing' themed evening.We shall also be having a Summer Fete this year in July so we shall be busy!With that in mind, we do have 2 places available on our Committee and would welcome any interest to join our jolly team - and it is really not too arduous and can be fun! Please contact any one of our Trustees below if you think you would like to find out more.

And finally . . .

We are delighted to announce that we shall be launching a new Community Fundraising (CFR) initiative in conjunction with The Utility Warehouse Discount Club which can save you money on your household bills!

Utility Warehouse (UW) is managed by Telecom plus plc, a major FTSe 250 UK plc supplying over 600,000 homes and small businesses across the UK with great value and outstanding service across a wide range of essential home services: home phone, mobile, broadband, gas and electricity.

You can help fundraise and participate in this scheme by calling a dedicated CFR team via Freephone who will explain all the benefits without a hard sell, or you can sign up yourself through a new Manor Hall UW website.Then for as long as you remain a customer, the Utility Warehouse will contribute up to 5% of your monthly bill to the Manor Hall funds.

This is a unique scheme that allows community groups or organisations to raise money at the same time as saving money for its supporters. Watch this space for more details!

Trustees:

• Chairman:Julia Fairchild [882783]
• Secretary:Natalie Stanbury [882252]
• Bookings:Alison Sharples [882782]
• Louise Baddick, Jim Constantine, Karen Coppin [Treasurer], Phil Crompton, Alan Hamilton, Martin Johns, Len Narborough, Denny Reynolds

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

We hope our regular users are enjoying the new lighting and have worked out how to use them - it is easy when you know how!

At present we are unable to use our one remaining gas heater, this somewhat antiquated heat source is due to be serviced this month so we hope to get it up and working again soon. In the mean-time though, please let us know if your user group needs the heating put on for a time before you start your session as well as during. Of course, we are desperate to change our heating to a more efficient and user-friendly system but until we can secure a large amount of funding it will not sadly be happening this winter so we must accept big heating bills to keep our loyal users warm.

On funding news - we are still ploughing our way through this complicated process but are hopeful that various applications will be in place by the beginning of the new year.

We have lots of ideas for fundraising and general socials in the pipeline, our first, to get you feeling festive will be a

Please join us for this friendly village get together.

May we all wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

  The Manor Hall Trustees

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

Welcome back to all our term-time-only users. We are very pleased to have had the new lights installed and hope you all agree they make the hall a brighter and nicer place to be. Further works will allow the lights to be fully dimmable and this will take place shortly.Repairs to the main hall roof will be carried out over the coming weeks - apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Many of you may already know that Len Narborough has stepped down from the position of Chair. Len has put in a tremendous amount of time and effort on behalf of the Manor Hall and has been instrumental in making some much needed changes to the way things are done and for the future of the hall itself, spear-heading the need for funds and securing funding from Awards 4 All, Fullabrook CIC, Berrynarbor Parish Council and North Devon District Council. He has also acted as the first point of call for any day-to-day problems and has even turned his hand to a bit of drain clearing on behalf of the hall, so a huge thank you to Len for all his hard work. Thanks must also go to Andy Bird who stepped down from the Trustees in August. Andy has spent copious amounts of time

overhauling health and safety at the hall and contributing to funding applications.

We are very pleased to have co-opted some new Trustees, so a very warm welcome to Alan Hamilton and Phil Crompton, who both live in the Sterridge Valley, and to Martin Johns from Hagginton Hill. We are delighted to have some more new faces and look forward to their support to help to continue to improve our lovely hall.

And, finally, we are looking to organise some new events over the coming months, hoping to arrange a few dates for events that are general socials as well as raising a few more pennies for the hall and our other great village groups. It would be lovely to hear from you if there are events you would like to see at the hall that have not previously been arranged, but think would be popular.

Many thanks for your continued support.

The Manor Hall Trustees

Current Trustees:

• Acting Chairman: Julia Fairchild [882783]
• Secretary: Natalie Stanbury [882252]
• Bookings: Alison Sharples [882782]
• Louise Baddick, Jim Constantine, Karen Coppin [Treasurer],
• Phil Crompton, Alan Hamilton, Martin Johns, Len Narborough, Denny Reynolds

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MANOR HALL TRUST

The Annual General Meeting took place on the 5th July. This was a meeting in two parts. First the AGM for the Manor Hall Trust, Charitable Incorporated Organisation [CIO] No. 1169090 which was registered in September 2016, and regarding which consent from the Charity Commission for the switch over to the new charity was received on the 20th June this year.

This was followed by the AGM for the Berrynarbor Manor Hall Trust, Registered Charity No. 300763 (the existing charity), at which the Accounts for 2016-17 were circulated and approved. The Chairman spoke to his Annual Report for 2016-17. Items covered were the general use of the Hall and the new booking conditions, security, fund raising, the structure and repair of the Manor House wing roof, as well as the conversion to a CIO. With regard to the Committee, Julia Fairchild had been welcomed to the Committee in February 2017.

Appointment of Trustees [Committee Members]

The Committee were re-elected with the exception of Eileen Hobson, representing the North Devon Spinners, who stood down. The Chairman thanked Eileen for her work on the Committee and welcomed Louise Baddick, who will represent the Spinners in future.

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MANOR HALL TRUST

This is busy time for the Manor Hall on a number of fronts. Following the structural work to the Manor House wing roof, the lock change to the main hall and the new curtains in the hall, a few other things are underway.The Hall has had a one-off extensive clean which will hopefully allow us to stay on top of cleaning from now on, and we should like to thank Tony Kitchin for steam cleaning the stage curtains.

New cutlery has been bought to replace that which used to be in the kitchen. We now have 90 sets [i.e. knife/fork/dessert spoon/teaspoon] which should suffice for most events. However, only a small supply is being kept in the kitchen. Most of the new cutlery is stored elsewhere so anyone booking the Hall and needing large amounts of cutlery will need to make this clear when booking.

Grant Funding

We are reviewing our approach to the improvement of the Hall given the recent news that the Big Lottery has closed one of the two Reaching Communities funding programmes towards which we were working. This has happened without any warning. Although the Big Lottery are working on a replacement programme, at the present time no details of this have been made available. The other Reaching Communities Programme is still running, but has a smaller capital grant ceiling of £100,000.Therefore, we are still working on the latter, but the smaller level of funding involved means we should look at the improvement of the Hall as a phased programme. The main immediate priorities for this are the same as before, which is to deal with the floor problem and the inadequate heating and insulation as a first phase.

In the meantime, to show some progress and positive change, we are undertaking several other small but important changes. Hence, the new curtains, planned new lights and roof repairs noted below.

Internal Lighting

As this Newsletter is going to print, we are organising the replacement of the eight fluorescent lighting tubes which have acted as the main lights for a long time. These are long overdue for renewal, and are being replaced with eight. large, pendant lights, all dimmable. For the time being these new lights and the existing sixteen spotlights [which are already dimmable], should allow a variety of bright or low lighting situations to suit a wide range of occasions. We shall then review what else may be needed when we see how all this works.

Security at the Hall

The recent main Hall lock change went smoothly but given the rather odd incidents over the last year, it is felt that further security improvements are needed, at least as a precaution. So, at the time this Newsletter is going to print, we shall be placing an order to install some CCTV coverage outside. We are also finalising details for some additional movement activated lights at the front, which will be helpful for evening events as well.

Roof Repairs

As stated above, we can't see funds being available in the short term for a full re-roof of the main hall, so we have been getting quotes for roof repairs that will stop the occasional leaks we suffer from at present, plus stopping the water penetration to the chimney above the old fireplace.

Most of the leaks come from the ridge tiles, so we plan to replace all the ridge tiles, repair the chimney and generally overhaul the roof to replace/refix damaged or loose slates. It would be good to have this done over the summer or early autumn so that it's done before winter. Those who use the hall in winter will know that it isn't just heating that is a major problem, but the complete absence of any insulation, and if at some point we are to insulate the ceiling, then we need to have stopped any further water penetration.

Manor Hall AGM, Wednesday 5th July

The Manor Hall AGM is set for 5th July at 7.30 p.m. This is slightly later in the summer than normal but we have needed to make sure the accounts for 2016/17 will be available. The main other purpose of the AGM is to elect Committee Members. This may only be to serve for a short period as the vesting deed to convert us from the existing charity to the new CIO [Charitable Incorporated Organisation] is now signed and the transition is underway. The AGM evening will, therefore, include a short section which will technically be an AGM of the new charity.This is similarly needed to elect Committee Members to the new charity, which will carry on thereafter.

The new CIO, still a charity and holding the Hall and Parish Room on the original Trusts, has a similar committee structure to the one set up in 1947. This means that five major hall users and/or village institutions will have the right to appoint someone directly onto the management committee, much as now. The five bodies are the Parish Council, the Parochial Church Council, the School, the Men's Institute and Berrynarbor Pre-school. There is also provision for up to five people to be elected at the AGM, plus up to three co-opted places.

On this point, we should like to thank Eileen Hobson for her service on the Committee as she will be standing down at the AGM.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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We are pleased to advise that the lock to the hall main entrance door has now been changed and the number of keys supplied with it are strictly limited. However, all regular users have been provided with a new key for their convenience and have signed an agreement covering their use of this new key. Anyone with one of the old keys should throw it away.

The structural work to the manor house wing roof was completed at the end of February and we are pleased that we can now concentrate on the main hall. As a small first step we have replaced the four pairs of curtains to the windows in the hall, as we hope users have noticed!

Lastly many thanks to those users who have helped with our Evaluation Survey during March - this will be really helpful as we apply for more grant assistance.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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Important Notice - Incidents at the Hall

 

We have been unwilling to speak out openly about a number of incidents that have occurred at the Hall since early last summer, as it has been hard to believe that someone in the local area has been prepared to act maliciously against the Hall, and indeed act criminally. However, we now feel compelled to publish what has been going on even if it barely seems credible. Last summer we had an unexplained flood to the corridor at the rear of Pre-school, found first thing in the morning. Then we had an incident where someone had deliberately blocked all four toilets in the Pre-school part of the building by stuffing bundles of white paper hand towels round the U-bend of each toilet. Again, this was discovered first thing in the morning and it took a while to clear all the blockages. It is very hard to think who would do such a thing or why.

Later last year there was a further incident involving a piece of equipment going missing and one night in January someone has gone into the boiler cupboard at the rear of the building and vandalised the electric supply plug to the boiler, meaning it wouldn't work the next morning.

Earlier, in December, we also found that most of the cutlery in the main hall kitchen had disappeared but we have been unable to link its disappearance to a precise event or time. It is hard to believe that anyone would want to steal second hand cutlery and we have tried to think of alternative explanations. However, we can't rule out theft, or that someone seems to have some sort of vendetta against the Hall.

We have reported the most recent incident to the Police.

We therefore ask that if anyone knows anything about any of this, or has seen anyone going in or out of the Hall at odd times of the night or very early in the morning, to please contact any of the Manor Hall committee members.

Not surprisingly, we are now working out what to do with building security, and will have to improve key security. This may not be straightforward and may affect the way occasional users access the building.

Work underway at the Hall

You may have seen scaffolding up at the manor house wing of the Hall. This is the long-awaited roof repair work as specified by our structural engineer some time ago. We have mentioned in the past that the ceiling above the Men's Institute has been deemed unsafe to walk around on, so this needs to be remedied for maintenance purposes. There are also a number of long term issues to do with structural movement and the much earlier removal of a few original rafters which also need to be remedied. Most of the work is taking place inside the roof space. Outside, the corner pieces of the wall plates (the timbers on top of the walls on which the rafters rest) are also being replaced with oak, as the original timbers are rotten at the ends. As this roof is medieval and of rather rare construction in Devon, it isn't surprising that it needs some attention. As part of the planning and listed building consents obtained, we have had to agree an archaeological 'written scheme of investigation' for the roof which has required us to commission a historic buildings expert to survey and produce scale drawings of the roof structure.

In a sense, we have been reluctant to carry out this repair work, as the roof defects don't immediately affect use of the Hall whereas, of course, the main hall has more obvious and perhaps more urgent needs. However, someone at some time will have to tackle the roof problems, so we have decided to have the work done and then switch our attention back to the main hall. The problem is that, as we have said before, in terms of money and priorities, we have a village hall with a modest income but also have to maintain a 600-year old annex, and it is a difficult balancing act. However, we do also feel a duty to maintain the whole of this historic building.

Conversion to a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Unfortunately, our conversion into a new charity is taking longer than we thought, although at least we are now ready for the registration of title to the Hall and Parish Room which is a legal requirement of this process. We will explain all this fully when the switchover actually occurs.

New Charges for 2017

We are increasing our charges from April - the changes most relevant to the village are the regular user session rate, currently £12 and going up

to £13, and the occasional village user rate for not-for-profit events, which is going up from £30 to £35. Please note that our charges are a lot lower than other village halls in the area, and that the hall's running costs (even before any repairs or maintenance) are around £6,000 per year.

We are also replacing our missing cutlery, and have finally thrown out the old gazebos which had seen better days. To replace the old ones, we now have one small gazebo and one new 4.5m x 3m pop-up gazebo, with at least one more to follow.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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Work to the Hall and New Charity Structure

There has been some progress regarding the current two items of work facing the Committee, but it may be a while before they are fully resolved. We now have tenders back for the planned work to the manor house wing roof, but these are more expensive than we had estimated and at the time of writing we await the tender report before we can move forward. So, unfortunately, we cannot yet advise the Men's Institute when the work will be on site. Although the work will take place inside the roof space above, the ceiling below will need to be supported for safety reasons.

We can, however, advise that our new Charitable Incorporated Organisation is close to going live - our solicitors are now drafting the vesting deed required to move goods and chattels, money and the title to the Hall and Parish Room over to the new charity, so this long process is nearly at an end.

Fund Raising - Our thanks for the events held in October and November

Our thanks go to those who organised and helped out with two big events this autumn. Firstly we should like to thank Judie Weedon and the Craft and Art Group who put on an impressive display of work in the Hall during the last week of October. This raised £450 for the Hall and is much appreciated.

Many villagers will have attended the Military Wives Choir event held in the church on 4th November, which was also a fund-raising event for both the Manor Hall and the Church. More on this is being said elsewhere in this newsletter, but we wish to thank Judith Adam for her initiative in getting this event off the ground and pulling together the volunteers who are so important in making village events work. We should also like to thank Stuart Neale for organising the church and the choirs. It seems to have been a most enjoyable and moving evening, and a memorable shared experience for all those who were there. The event raised just over £2,400 after expenses, which has been shared equally between the Hall and the Church.

Both events have therefore made major contributions to our funds.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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MANOR HALL TRUST

NEW BOOKING CONDITIONS

In August we advised that a new returnable breakages deposit was being expanded to cover the issue of rubbish being left behind, as often seems to happen after a large event. We have had incidents with food waste, bottles, drinks cans and large quantities of cardboard being left behind and we have no facilities for this kind of waste disposal. In future, for larger events, mostly but not exclusively parties and weddings, the breakages deposit will be £50, payable in advance. For children's parties it will be £15.

These deposits will not be refunded if the hall is left in a mess and/or rubbish is left behind.

Remember these changes will not affect regular users with their week by week events, although the new terms will apply if a regular user wishes to hold a one-off event.

CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE

Like last year, we shall not be holding a Christmas card exchange service this December given a decline in the use of it in recent years. We are sorry if this causes any inconvenience. Some people may wish to place season's greetings in the village newsletter instead.

MILITARY WIVES CHOIR EVENT 4TH NOVEMBER

We look forward to the special event being held in the church on Friday, 4th November - it may be that this is sold out by the time this newsletter goes to print, but if not then please remember that it is a joint fund raiser for the Church and the Manor Hall. Tickets on sale at the Shop. Many thanks to Judith Adam and Stuart Neale for their work in organising this event.

WORK TO THE HALL - MANOR HOUSE WING

As stated in the August Newsletter, the work to implement our structural engineer's recommendations to repair and stabilise the old [medieval] roof above the Men's Institute is now out to tender. At present we can't say exactly when this work will start on site but it should take place this coming winter. In order to comply with the planning permission obtained, we have had to agree a very detailed archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation for this work with North Devon Council. We can say, however, that the proposed work will accord with SPAB principles [Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings], that is to be non-destructive.

NEW CONSTITUTION FOR THE MANOR HALL TRUST

In the June Newsletter, we summarised the proposal to convert the Manor Hall Trust into a new type of charity knwn as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or CIO. This topic has been the subject of public discussion back in June, and we are pleased to say our new CIO is now registered as a charity with the Charity Commission, Charity No.1169090. As advised previously, in the new CIO constitution we have also replicated the existing practices for appointing Hall Committee Members - that is electing some committee members at the AGM, with others being nominated by key user groups, in the same way as first established in the original 1947 conveyance of the Hall. The nominating organisations are the same, that is the Parish Council, the Primary School, Berrynarbor Pre-School, the Men's Institute and the Parochial Church Council. However, to start with, the CIO will operate with the existing Trustees, i.e. the current committee members.

As the new CIO will effectively merge with the current charity, it will keep the same name, the Manor Hall Trust. We now need to complete the necessary legal documentation with the Parish Council.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

2016 AGM

The Manor Hall AGM took place on 29th June this year, and the existing Trustees [committee members] have been re-appointed.

Berry Revels

We are sorry to advise that Berry Revels will not be held this year. The committee members have other substantial demands on their time at present and it is not possible to find the time to plan and run the Revels. Unfortunately, we have to prioritise the work to implement our constitutional proposals [see below], our grant applications and other work.

New booking conditions

In the June newsletter we advised that a new returnable breakages deposit will be levied for larger one off bookings. We have however become increasingly frustrated at a number of recent hall users who have left behind large quantities of rubbish. The hall does not have facilities to handle such rubbish and so we are further broadening the rules regarding such deposits to cover a wider range of issues than just 'breakages'.

The conditions of booking for one off events are therefore being amended so that if any booking conditions are not adhered to then the deposit will not be returned. This will apply, for example, if rubbish is left behind.

These changes will not affect regular users with their week by week events, although the new terms will apply if a regular user wishes to hold a one-off event.

Work to the Hall this summer

As stated in the April newsletter, we are still progressing the work to the Manor House wing - more details will be given when available. The work will mostly involve implementing our structural engineer's recommendations to repair and stabilise the old (medieval) roof. Given the importance of this work and our discussions about trustee liability, we want to proceed very formally and have engaged PWH Surveyors of Barnstaple to produce contract documents and manage the tender process. Tenders for the work will be invited by early August.

Grants

We are continuing with a number of grant applications for the repair and renovation of the hall, and are delighted to advise of one early success - that Fullabrook CIC has awarded us £10,000. This is not only a sizeable sum in itself, but as the Fullabrook CIC is run by local people it also shows substantial local support, which in turn helps with other funding applications. This is great news!

Major constitutional proposals for the Manor Hall Trust

In the June newsletter, we summarized the proposal to convert the Manor hall Trust into a new type of charity known as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or CIO. This was the subject of a public meeting called by the Parish Council and held on 7th June. That meeting was extremely well attended and we thank everyone who came - the meeting was overwhelmingly supportive of our proposals, including the transfer of title from the Parish Council to the proposed new CIO. On the 14th June the Parish Council then agreed the transfer of title, subject to the two buildings (the hall and the Parish Room) being held on their original trusts. This means the buildings would remain as charitable assets, held in trust for the inhabitants of the village, which is what we have always said would be the case. Nonetheless, so that this point is completely explicit, rather than implicit in the way that charity law works, an appropriate clause has been inserted in our draft CIO constitution, which is ready for submission to the Charity Commission at the time of writing.

In the draft CIO constitution we have also replicated the existing practices for appointing hall committee members - that is electing some committee members at the AGM, with others being nominated by key user groups (as established in the original 1947 conveyance of the hall). We thank the Parish Council for their considerable support on this issue.

Manor Hall Management Committee

 

Dance at the Manor Hall c1953

Back: Bruce Woolaway, Gladys Toms, Gerald Bray, Ruby Draper, Jim Brooks, Hazel Russell
Front: Norman Richards, Alistair Chalmers, Christopher Huxtable

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

New Committee members

As advised previously, all enquiries about hall availability and charges should now be addressed to Alison Sharples, and as we are moving towards using e-mail for most hall contacts, the best way to contact Alison will be via alison_sharples@btinternet.com, or if necessary tel. 882782.We are also pleased to advise that our new Treasurer is Karen Coppin, who has now taken over from Nora Rowlands. Karen will give her contact details on invoices etc., but regular users have been advised separately how to get in touch when necessary.

New booking conditions

Following someone not paying the balance of their booking charge for a wedding reception last year, we have reviewed our approach to all one-off events at the hall. In future all one-off events will involve full payment to be made in advance, except where the booking is a long time in the future. In the latter case a substantial deposit will be required to secure the booking. We are also now asking for a refundable breakages deposit to be made in all cases of adult parties and wedding receptions. These changes will not affect regular users.

2016 AGM

Please note that the Manor Hall AGM will be held on Wednesday

29th June this year, at 7.30 p.m.To make best use of the evening we hope to combine the AGM with other updates on our work.

Work to the Hall this summer

As stated in the April newsletter, we are still on track to carry out work to the Manor House wing this summer - more details will be given when available. The work will mostly be to the old [medieval] roof.

Major constitutional proposals for the Manor Hall Trust

Again in the April newsletter, we mentioned a proposal to convert the Manor Hall Trust into a new type of charity known as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or CIO. These were introduced by the Charities Act 2006 to help small charities deal with large projects. At the moment the Manor Hall Trust is an unincorporated body in law, which means it can't enter into contracts as an organisation. Current committee members, the trustees, would have to do so in their own name, and have no limited liability as a result. In other words, at present there are considerable personal risks involved which we feel is an unfair and unacceptable situation, given the scale of repair and improvement work required at the hall.

A CIO is able to enter into contracts and gives its trustees limited liability, and they have been introduced precisely to deal with this kind of problem. Not surprisingly over 6,500 CIOs have been set up around the country over the last three years given the advantages they offer.

There is a process to follow in moving from the current arrangements to a new structure, but the two buildings involved, the Hall and the Parish Room, would legally remain held on the same trusts as at present, i.e. held on trust for the benefit of the Parish. There would be no difference in how the buildings are used or managed, and the same committee members [trustees] would be in place.

PUBLIC MEETING 7th June, 2016

However, one particular change involved in the creation of a new organisation would be a transfer of title to the two buildings from the Parish Council to the proposed CIO. This request has been put formally to the Parish Council who have taken appropriate legal advice and would now like to give anyone interested an opportunity to hear more or ask questions at a Public Meeting to be held at the hall on Tuesday, 7th June at 7.30pm.People should attend at 7.00 p.m. if they would like to read some relevant background papers first.

A general understanding of the issues involved would be helpful and more information and correspondence can be read on the village website - see www.berrynarborvillage.co.uk, Manor Hall news section, or look at the Parish Council's website, www.berrynarborparishcouncil.org.uk. You will also find documents at the shop and in the hall itself.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

New Contact for Booking the Hall

As you may know, Alan Rowlands has stood down as our long-serving Bookings Officer and all enquiries about hall availability and charges should now be addressed to Alison Sharples. We are moving towards using e-mail for most hall contacts, so the best way to contact Alison will be via alison_sharples@btinternet.com, or if necessary telephone [01271] 882782.

Please note that regular users must remember to e-mail Alison if they want to cancel the occasional session, otherwise their invoicing will be incorrect.

Any enquiries about invoicing should still be addressed to Nora Rowlands until mid-May, when we'll give further information.

We thank both Alan and Nora for over 10 years of service to the Hall and this village. If you would like to join in with a send-off and thanks for all the voluntary work they have done, please join us for a drink in The Globe on Wednesday, 13th April at 7.30 p.m.

Heating in the Main Hall

The rewiring to the four electric heaters has been done and should resolve the problems experienced earlier. We hope the two new radiators also help - these are run off the gas boiler in Pre-School, and will come on at the same times set for Pre-School, i.e. most of the day Monday to Friday.

Donations and Funds

We should like to give sincere thanks for recent donations and grants. County Councillor Andrea Davies has given further support to us with an award of £500 from her Locality Budget to help with the costs of our renovation planning. Richard and Be Gingell have also given a very generous £400 from the recent Soup and Pud evening, and John and Fenella Boxall raised £345 from the recent 'Salt in the Sugar Jar' Beaford Arts event at Sloley Farm. Thanks to everyone for all their efforts.

In terms of our reserves, we should say that these have steadily increased over the last few years, in readiness for carrying out major work to the hall. However, this isn't straightforward.

Work to the Hall this summer

As may be well known by now, the planned major renovation of the main hall depends on getting Big Lottery funding. However, 'heritage' work isn't eligible for such funding and because of this and in order to spend the £4,572 awarded to us by North Devon Council [which is time-limited], we plan to carry out work this summer to repair the Medieval manor house roof and the Tudor facade.   When we know the details we will let the Pre-School and Men's Institute know how this might affect them whilst the work is underway. All the planned work will accord with SPAB principles [Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings].

We shall be applying for other grant help for this, but this type of funding isn't easy to get so we may have to fund the balance of the work ourselves at a cost of perhaps some £15,000. This then is a real dilemma - the needs of the main hall are more obvious, but in effect we are a village hall charity with a modest income that also has to maintain a 600-year-old annex, and all the planned work needs to be done. There are some structural issues with the old roof, with one corner in particular being of concern.  

However, there is good news in that we have now obtained listed buildings consent for all the planned works, the only condition being about archaeological recording. This is a big step forward!

The Manor Hall Trust

For day to day purposes it is of little consequence, but the Manor Hall is managed by a charity [the Manor Hall Trust] which is an unincorporated body in law, that is it can't enter into contracts as an organisation. This will become more of an issue when major works need to be undertaken to the hall, so we are exploring the possibility of converting into a new body known as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, or CIO. These are fairly new, having only been introduced via the Charities Act 2011. If this does happen nothing will change on the surface, but it would make managing the Hall's renovation a lot easier.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL TRUST

Christmas 'Thank You' at the Hall

It was good to have lots of Hall supporters and volunteers at the hall just before Christmas - our feedback is that it was a good hour or so and people felt it was a very worthwhile thing to do. The mulled wine may have helped!

Hall Renovation

The planning and listed building applications for the proposed renovation of the hall were submitted to North Devon Council in December - full details can be found on the Council's website. It goes without saying that this is an important moment - a successful planning application would be immensely helpful when applying for grant funding, and obviously we can't improve the hall as planned without it. We should have a decision in March.

Meanwhile we have also now received detailed costings for the proposed works from quantity surveyors PWH in Barnstaple, and we have worked through a detailed breakdown of these costs in order to put together the right mix of work that achieves everything discussed to date and is within the kind of guidelines set by funders.

Heating in the Hall

We know it has been hard to use the hall this winter and we thank users for bearing with us. The one remaining gas heater does work most of the time, although we know there have been occasional problems with it. The wiring and sockets to some of the [temporary] electric heaters are to be replaced so that these work properly - it has just taken a while to get contractors to respond. We hope that in early February we shall also have two radiators installed in the hall, heated from the boiler in the

Pre-School. All of these are of course temporary measures pending the installation of a comprehensive new system, including insulation if we can raise the funds to do so.

Manor Hall Management Committee - New Treasurer Needed!

As stated in the December Newsletter, Alan and Nora Rowlands will soon be standing down from the Management Committee, after many years of service.

We therefore seek a new Treasurer, and obviously this is an important post. The amount of work involved is not that great, but the hall can't function without one. So we ask everyone to consider helping out, especially users of the hall. If we cannot get a new Treasurer by April the consequences will be very serious.

No previous experience is necessary. We should stress that the volume of transactions is quite small - the number of expenses paid out in a typical month are very few and we don't hold any cash. Invoicing to users is generally done every two months for regular users, and once a term in the case of the School. In future all invoices will be issued by e-mail, and record keeping is very simple - just income and expenditure details. Annual accounts for the last two years have been done by Stevens & Willey of Barnstaple.

If anyone is interested in these roles or joining the committee generally, please contact Len Narborough [Chairman] on 883747 or e-mail narb@btinternet.com.

Remember these are interesting times for the Manor Hall!

Manor Hall Management Committee

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THE MANOR HALL TRUST

Christmas Card Exchange at the Hall - As we advised in the October edition of this newsletter, we shall not be running the card exchange this Christmas. However, we shall be holding a short get together to say thanks to all the people who have supported the Hall over the last year or two, whether helping out at Berry Revels and other fundraising, joining our renovation working parties, delivering our newsletters or who have served on the Management Committee.

Hall Renovation - By early December we hope (finally!) to have submitted applications for planning and listed building consents. We are going with a slightly amended floor layout following advice from our surveyors which we think is the best option, but this retains all the features last circulated. We shall be issuing a copy of this plan to all homes in the village over the next month or so. The long process of applying for grant funding then begins in earnest.

Manor Hall Management Committee - Alan and Nora Rowlands have advised that at the end of the financial year they wish to stand down from the Management Committee after over 10 years of service. We wish to thank them for this lengthy service to one of the major village institutions

As many people will know, Alan has dealt with hall bookings and Nora has been Treasurer, so we now seek a number of new committee members to bring us up to strength, including both a new Treasurer and a new Bookings Officer. We should stress that the volume of transactions is quite small - the number of expenses paid out in a typical month are very few and that we don't hold any cash. Invoicing to users is generally done monthly for regular users, and once a term in the case of the school. Record keeping is just simple income and expenditure details. Annual accounts for the last two years have been done by Stevens & Willey of Barnstaple, and the annual return to the Charity Commission is done by the Chairman. If anyone is interested in these roles or joining the committee generally, please contact Len Narborough on 883 747 or email: narb@btinternet.com. Remember these are interesting times for the Manor Hall!

Village Website - Some people are still unaware that we have a village website! Please look it up at www.berrynarborvillage (just search for berrynarborvillage) - if you go to Hall booking on the home page this gives details of our charges and there is a diary showing what's on and when the hall is available.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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THE MANOR HALL TRUST

There are quite a few things to report regarding the hall, ranging from August to Christmas!

Berry Revels - We were lucky with the weather in early August, so thanks to all the helpers and volunteers who helped us raise £1370 net of all expenses, and thanks also to all those who came along. It's good that people get together at events like this, and of course it all helps our fundraising.

Christmas Card Exchange - We have decided NOT to run the Christmas card exchange this year, so some people may wish to place Christmas messages in the newsletter instead, or make other arrangements. We do intend, however, to have a short get-together to say thanks to all the people who have helped out with Hall affairs over the last year, whether by delivering newsletters, helping with the Revels, joining our working parties, and so on. We'll give details of this in early December and the December Newsletter.

Health and Safety at the Hall - The Management Committee has reviewed the health and safety arrangements at the hall and has agreed a new policy, together with carrying out a wide range of repairs and other actions. Part of our new procedure involves an updated booking form which sets out the responsibilities of those who hire the hall, together with a new hall user handbook. Both of these documents will be sent to anyone hiring the hall from now on, usually by email. Regular users of the hall have also been sent copies by email during September, and their continued use of the hall means that they are also deemed to have accepted the updated conditions of hire.

Hall Renovation - What Next?< - We are often asked what is happening next! Our plans for the hall continue to move forward. The newsletter delivered to all households in the village in August contained a near-final floorplan for the main hall and invited comments and queries at the drop-in session held on 1st September. This followed the in-principle agreement of the Parish Council in August to facilitate our planned extension to the east elevation of the hall into the play area. At most this will mean moving the existing fence line some two meters or so, and moving the swings slightly further into the play area.

Whatever the outcome of our grant applications, we shall have to install a new heating system for the main hall. Therefore we are also commissioning an energy assessment of the hall to determine the energy output needed to heat the hall as it is now and as it might be after renovation, and to give options for new heating installations.

All this means that we shall be able to finalise detailed drawings and apply for planning and listed buildings consents this autumn. In parallel with this we shall obtain full QS costings for the works. As and when the consents are secured we shall finally be able to submit our Big Lottery application, with a fully designed and costed project and all statutory consents in place.

In addition there is work to be done to develop separate work specifications and costs for the Manor House wing, as the Big Lottery does not fund heritage projects. We shall, therefore, be applying for separate funding for the work needed to the medieval roof and the Tudor facade of the old wing.

This is a very short summary of what is a quite complex project!

Grants and Donations - At its August meeting, the Parish Council also agreed to make a grant to the Manor Hall of £4500, matching funds made available by the North Devon Council. The Men's Institute has also made a donation to our funds of £500, which is very generous indeed. We thank both organisations for their support - it is very important to be able to demonstrate community support for our plans when seeking grant funding, so these contributions are really helpful.

Manor Hall Management Committee

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AGM and public meeting held on 3rd June

Thanks go to the large number of people who came along to the AGM and public meeting in June. After the AGM formalities, those present went through a design exercise to see how and where improved facilities for the hall might be created - not an easy exercise as when one thing is changed or moved it affects everything else! Hopefully the summing up of suggestions and answers to questions will have helped to clarify the design issues. We think we are close to a final floorplan which will give improved toilets, a much larger kitchen, the same main hall area as now and hopefully an additional facility such as a separate meeting room. This has been sent to all user groups initially, for their comments.

Village Questionnaire

Further thanks are due to the many people who took the trouble to complete our questionnaire in April, and to our team of people who did all the delivery and collection of forms. About 68% of people responded, which is good for a survey of this kind. This survey is an important component of our lottery application planned for later this year, as we need to establish the needs and preferences of the village across a whole spectrum of issues such as health, neighbourliness, adult education and so on.

History of the Hall

We have just received the report on the history and archaeology of the hall, commissioned from Richard Parker, archaeology consultant from Exeter. This will act as a heritage statement in planning law, to help with our eventual planning and listed building applications. This makes very interesting reading - a copy has gone to the village history society for their information.

 

Manor Hall Management Committee

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Thank you to all who took the time to complete the Community Consultation Questionnaire. More than 224 questionnaires were delivered to occupied homes throughout the Parish, with 179 (65%) completed forms returned, providing information from approximately 400 people. This represents a good and slightly above average result for such an exercise, with many respondents also volunteering their help to the Hall project. A summary of the results will be given in the next village newsletter.

A big THANK YOU to all our volunteer helpers who not only delivered the questionnaires, but also took time to revisit each house, sometimes more than once, to collect them.

THE NEXT STEP - Representative group meetings

To add to the information gained from the community consultation questionnaires and the discussion at the Open Forum during the AGM, we shall shortly be organising a series of group discussions where we shall ask participants to consider how best the hall can meet their particular needs.

To ensure a true cross-section of the village community is represented, we plan to get together people from the following categories of residents: retired people, working age adults, older school children and teenagers, and parents with junior school/pre-school age children and toddlers.

Once we have gathered feedback from the questionnaires, the Open Forum, the group meetings and other activities, we'll be in a position to put together our final submission to the Big Lottery for funding. We anticipate this will be later this autumn.

New Hall Charges - Effective from May 2015

Hall charges have been virtually unchanged since 2011, so given inflation and a steady increase in running costs, we have regrettably found it necessary to increase most charges by a small amount from

May 2015. These increases will help our general funds to meet the on-going regular costs - lighting, heating, insurance, general maintenance and cleaning. All professional fees and costs related to the future renovations are, in the main, covered by fundraising, donations and external funding received.

The new charges per session are as follows:

* the sessional charge for the school will remain at £11 until April 2016

Sessions are: Morning - to 1.00 p.m. Afternoon - 1.00 to 5.00 p.m. Evening - 5.00 p.m. onwards

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FUND RAISING NEWS A TOTAL OF £986 has been donated to our funds from the recent Under Western Skies Art Exhibition by local painter Paul Swailes, organised by Judie, along with the Charity Car and Tractor Wash undertaken by Geoff Adam. We congratulate and thank them both for their efforts.

 

Manor Hall Management Committee
berrynarbormanorhall@gmail.com

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Behind the scenes!

While from the outside perhaps nothing much seems to be moving in terms of the restoration of the Manor Hall, a lot is taking place behind the scenes regarding the preparation of our submission for funding from the Lottery and other sources.

In addition, the drawings also enable us to consider the various options available to enhance the building's facilities to meet users' requirements; these will form the basis of future group consultations prior to a final plan being drawn up.

Work Groups

As there are several specific internal components of the building that need to be considered, we have set up a number of 'Work Groups', each tasked with looking at particular issues and how best these can be addressed. The areas under consideration are: Kitchen Facilities; Heating and Insulation; Lighting and Electrics and Internal Layout. Discussions are underway, with much more to do, but the findings of these groups will be part of the wider Open Forum consultation process that will take place within the next few months.

As we've said before, if you are interested in joining any of these discussions, please contact us on our new email address: berrynarbormanorhall@gmail.com

'Blooming' Useful Feedback!

The opportunity was taken during the recent Berry in Bloom Quiz Night in the Manor Hall to circulate a questionnaire to gather feedback from those attending in order to understand how the current facilities are viewed and to identify where improvements can be made. More than 66 questionnaires were returned.

Well over half the respondents consider the present facilities provided overall to range from poor to adequate, with a similar number considering improvements need to be made. The main areas of dissatisfaction are the heating (90%), lighting - natural and artificial (85%/79%), toilets (82%), the kitchen and its facilities (82%/75%). Access and parking were also of concern.

Although not a scientific survey, the feedback is extremely useful as we go forward into the final stage of preparing the formal questionnaire ahead of the Open Forum and other public meetings.

Thank You to all those who participated.

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Manor Hall Management Committee

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A number of Thank You's this month!

Christmas Card Exchange

Thanks go to all who used the Christmas card exchange for the traditional distribution of their seasonal greetings around the village, which saw some 300 cards posted into the box at the shop. With the day of the card-exchange, Saturday 20th, being so close to Christmas, attendance was less than usual - even with the incentive of coffee, cakes and mince pies - with only a handful of people turning up. Thanks to the Newsletter for the very welcome donation of £200 from the messages in the December issue. With eleven months to go before next Christmas, maybe we can add some further incentives?

Centenary Village Tapestry

It is an impressive addition to the main hall, taking many hours of work to complete and using various techniques, including embroidery, hand-painted and photographic prints and other artistic media. Depicting various aspects of life around Berrynarbor, it has been sited on the wall adjacent to the kitchen opening, replacing the old large noticeboard.

A really big Thank You to all the ladies who gave their time to create such a wonderful snapshot of life in and around our Parish.

Restoration - Next Stage

Having received the £10,000 funding from the Big Lottery, we have now appointed our surveyors from Barnstaple, who will begin to schedule all the works required, including the structural engineer's specifications for the Manor House roof, as well as do scale drawings for planning and listed buildings consents.

We are very aware that the Manor Hall is an essential and well-used asset for the Parish and its residents; while the Trustees are tasked with being the custodians of the building to maintain it for the future generations, we welcome input from all within the Parish.

To that end, we plan to hold an 'Open Forum' shortly at which time four specific concepts will be discussed, the outcome of which will help us determine the architectural plans required for the major funding that will be needed for any restoration and refurbishment. Details of the Forum will be distributed house-to-house in the next few weeks.

Heating

The ongoing heating problem in the main hall continues, with two out of the four old gas heaters inoperative and unable to be repaired. In the short-term, electric heaters have been provided to supplement the two remaining and - at present - working gas heaters; the controls on the electric heaters have been set and therefore we ask all users of the hall to only switch them on/off at the socket at the beginning and end of each session.

Clearly such heaters are not the most economical form of heating such a large area and we are looking at how best to resolve the whole heating issue throughout the Manor Hall so as to gain better comfort levels with reasonable running costs.

Get Involved

Every month there are various regular groups using the Manor Hall, from the above-mentioned craft group, to pilates, badminton, as well as the art group and wine circle, not to mention the school, pre-school and toddlers. If you're not already a member of one of them - why not join, or is there a group you would like to start?

The Manor Hall Committee

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Autumn fundraising and the amazing generosity of this village

A huge thank you to the village for supporting us this autumn. The Rotary Mega Draw raised £1170 - a great result with all funds raised kept for the Manor Hall. We are also pleased to say there were ten prize winners within the village!

How good it was to see the back room at The Globe full for the Auction of Promises. Hard to believe but this one evening raised over £2300, again all proceeds going to the Manor Hall. Many thanks to Judith Adam for the huge effort put into organising all the offers up for auction and to Debbie Thomas. our irrepressible auctioneer. Special thanks also to those donating their time or other items for auction. For this event we tried not to ask local businesses for free offers yet again as there has been much local support in recent years. So this time the net was cast as far afield as Exeter. Nonetheless thanks must go to Middle Lee Farm, Langleigh House, Watermouth Castle, Mark Adams, The Globe, Loverings, South West Shooting School and many others - well, you know who you are.

More BIG news for the Manor Hall!

We have just been awarded £10,000, the maximum within the Awards for All category, which supports community groups. This is a big thumbs up for our plans. The money is to help pay for the necessary surveyor and community consultation work required for the next stage, which is to develop a fully designed and costed scheme, with all statutory approvals, ready to submit to funders.

In the meantime we are sorry to report that a second heater is out of action in the Hall - we don't know yet if it can be repaired. We are trying to see if we can manage with supplementary electric heaters as we don't want to commit to expensive repairs prior to eventual refurbishment which could mean wasting money. It feels like we face a race against time - whether we can get to the renovation of the Hall before the disrepair catches up with us! We are also currently looking at the cleaning of the Hall and proposals on this will be in the next newsletter.

History of the Hall

Most of the works to the Hall will require Listed Buildings Consent and getting consent will involve us having a Heritage Statement for the Hall, describing the Hall's key historical and architectural features. We have, therefore, commissioned Richard Parker, an architectural archaeologist, to produce such a statement and review the history of the Hall. We await his findings with considerable interest.

Centenary Artwork

To mark 100 years of the Hall we asked some of our user groups if they might like to produce an artwork that could be framed and hung in the Hall. As a result members of several local art and craft groups came together under the guidance and help of local quilt artist, teacher and speaker, Penny Armitage. They have produced a remarkable panel made up of a number of individual pieces depicting the village. Many thanks to Penny and all involved for this work. As this newsletter is published, the work is ready for framing.

Christmas Card Exchange - Saturday 20th December!

Our traditional Christmas card exchange event will be run again this year. Simply put cards addressed to others around the village in the box provided in the shop [plus a small donation] - save on stamps! These will be set out in the Hall for collection or delivery 10.00 am - 12.00 noon on Saturday, 20th December. Free tea, coffee and cakes on that morning!

Len Narborough and the Manor Hall Committee

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Fundraising for the Manor Hall

In our pursuit of grants for the Hall, something that is very important is the degree of local support, partly evidenced by local fundraising. So it's a very big thank you to those who came to this year's Berry Revels in August - we raised over £1800 despite the downpour halfway through. The best result in years. Thanks are also due to Ann Davies, who co-ordinated the planning and whose powers of organisation are a thing to behold!

At the time of writing we are pursuing the purchase of Rotary Mega Draw tickets around the village, and looking forward to the Auction of Promises at The Globe on Saturday, 25th October. Some will remember something similar done for the Jubilee, and what an evening it was. All funds raised at the auction will also go towards the much-needed work to the Manor Hall.

Works to the Hall

If anyone is unclear about just what work the Hall needs, have a look at the August newsletter, or you can email me at narb@btinternet.com. We are also looking for volunteers to join any of four design sub-groups - these will involve a few meetings and contributing to particular topics which are:

1. A new and larger kitchen 2. Options for the stage 3. Heating and insulation options and 4. How to deal with the storage problems at the Hall. Someone out there will have some brilliant ideas so let's hear them please! If interested then again please email as above or phone [01271] 883747.

I can now say we have our structural engineer's recommendations for the old roof, above the Men's Institute, and thankfully there is nothing too complicated in the works required.

Finally a welcome to Andy Bird who has joined the management committee in interesting times!

Len Narborough and the Manor Hall Committee

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YOUR MANOR HALL

Berrynarbor Parish has a long record of turning up trumps supporting both celebrations, as above, and catastrophes.

It is our star asset - the old Manor House and Manor Hall that is in trouble at present. The mediaeval roof trusses and supports to the Manor House roof are under severe attack from dry rot. They need to be treated and replaced in places with some urgency.

The Manor Hall floor supports are suffering from wet rot and need urgent work.

The Management Committee are busy preparing a case for funds from the National Lottery, The Hereditary Fund and the Halsinger Down Fund, but these will depend on how much we can raise ourselves.

The Committee would be very pleased to receive input and ideas for fundraising events and we are hoping the Annual Revels on the 5th August will be well supported and any kind of help would be much appreciated.

Lorna Bowden

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MANOR HALL TRUST

The Manor Hall - the state we're in

The Manor Hall AGM took place on 2nd July and the opportunity was taken to have a good question and answer session on the disrepair issues at the hall and the potential solutions. Some of you may have seen the leaflet at the shop which summarises the problems and suggestions for a renovated main hall. These are also given below.

Before this let's make a point about funding. It is intended to pursue several grants, some of them very large, notably from the Big Lottery. This isn't an easy process and will take time, well over a year in fact. For anyone concerned that calls for money will be made to the community at large, as attempted back in the 1990's, it's very simple. Most of the work will be grant funded. Therefore three things can happen: 1. We get nothing [unlikely] 2. We get a modest amount, in which case we carry out the most urgent works, or 3. We get what we need or close to it.

This is not to say that fundraising, like the current sale of the Rotary Club raffle tickets, or Berry Revels on 5th August, are not important - it all raises money and as importantly shows the support of the community.

Disrepair and Building Defects at the Manor Hall

So what needs to be done? The main works defects are:

The old roof (manor house wing) This old oak roof has several defects - little lateral restraint at ceiling level, which has caused the wall to push out, no original purlins and hence some racking (rafters leaning sideways), and little support to the roof in one corner where the wall has fallen away. Some of the joints have pulled apart and some timbers are extensively degraded by woodworm. Externally, the exposed wall plates at the corners are rotted and sections need to be replaced.

Floor and stage area to main hall The hall floor is poorly ventilated underneath, and under the stage it is very damp, resulting in extensive wet rot and some dry rot, with air bricks partly blocked due to the raised ground outside. In one corner you can put your hand through the floorboards.

General repairs across the two wings There is an extensive list: pointing required to cracked walls, rotten external woodwork, broken gutters, rotten window frames (e.g. the two large windows behind the stage) and some new sills required to windows. The old stone facade to the manor house wing needs pointing and work to stop raining-in. The roof to both wings have a limited life and if finances permit full reroofing of the whole hall should be carried out.

The stage in the main hall As well as the problems underneath, the stage is in poor shape. Neither the spotlights nor the audio system work, the curtains are in poor condition and there is a large amount of loose electrical wiring. The stage has to be removed to facilitate the repairs and treatment underneath.

What else do we think needs to be done?

It seems wrong to carry out a wide range of repairs and leave the main hall just as it is. User groups have commented on poor lighting, inadequate heating, insufficient storage and a tired and drab appearance generally. Therefore, we have set out various suggestions for the renovation of the main hall and the Basset Room. These include:

• Extend the middle section of the rear wall of the Basset Room so as to allow for remodelling and modernising the toilets, a larger kitchen and a new fire exit.
• New lighting, heating and insulation, with heating to the toilets and Basset Room.
• Rebuilding the stage OR use of a stage block system, allowing for more versatile room layouts.
• Replacing some windows; replacing all glazing with clear safety glass to improve light levels.
• Redecoration of the main hall and Basset Room

Some of these proposals are set out on the suggested floor plan of the main hall on the next page.

Your views are welcome. Please let us know what you think! You can email comments to narb@btinternet.com, leave comments on the sheets in the Manor Hall (box by kitchen) or use the comments box at the shop.

Len Narborough and the Management Committee

Potential layout of main hall

To facilitate remodelling of toilets and expansion of kitchen. The serving/bar area is indicative - it shows what could be provided. The stage is shown as removed, but with an example of a moveable system, shown here along the side wall as an example.

The areas shown in different colours representt new facilities. Each toilet area is outlined in a different colour. This is all new work and replaces facilities that are totally unsuitable for a hall serving up to 200 people

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User Consultation in March - Thanks to all hall user groups who responded to the questionnaires circulated in March. These focussed on the general condition of the hall and the adequacy of facilities - overall these were seen as less than good, with a general need for updating. Works seen as necessary include a larger kitchen, improved storage, improved natural and artificial lighting, refurbishment of toilets, redecoration, improved heating and replacement or at least complete overhaul of the stage area. Externally, many respondents raised concerns about car parking. Copies of a summary analysis of the survey are being sent to all groups.

Meanwhile we are continuing to develop a work plan for a series of grant bids; costings for surveyor support, an archaeological review of the building to establish its heritage significance, plus planning further consultation and discussion on other potential needs in the area that could be met at the hall.

**And same message as last time, please note that actually carrying out the majority of the work is still some considerable time away. Do not hesitate to contact in the normal way should you want to book the hall for an event.

Local Fund Raising and Berry Revels - Many thanks to our local councillors for their prompt support of our plans. County Councillor Andrea Davis has granted the hall £2,500 from her locality budget, and thanks also to Councillor Yvette Gubb for supporting an award of £4,572 from commuted sums held by North Devon Council, and the Parish Council for a £1,000 grant in March and its statement of support.

Also watch out for the sale of raffle tickets, part of the North Devon Rotary raffle, with cash prizes of £100 to £300, plus 100 smaller prizes. ALL proceeds from our tickets sales go towards the hall refurbishment, so please support us when you see tickets on sale in the shop and elsewhere.

Berry Revels this year will be on 5th August, so please make a note in your diary. Again we should like wide support in our centenary year for the refurbishment of the hall

To all Poster-Producing People!

There is a new sign and notice board for the Manor Hall - these have been placed at the car park entrance. So for all those arranging events at the hall there is an additional opportunity for your posters. Notice board key holders are Len Narborough and Geoff Adam.

Len Narborough and the Manor Hall Committee`

 

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Consultation on the Manor Hall

February's newsletter noted the wide range of repair items we need to address at the hall, and although at the time of writing we await the structural engineer's report on the old roof [the manor house wing], we don't think it will demand more than we already assume will be needed.

So meanwhile we have begun to draft the remaining list of repairs that will need to go into a formal contract for the works. However, this raises another issue which is that although essential repairs to the building must come first, it feels quite wrong to carry out fundraising, ask the village for support, do a lot of work but leave the main hall just as it is.

A number of comments have been made in recent years about heating, comfort, lighting, etc., and that the kitchen can service little more than the making of teas and coffees. I should add that the toilets are of a poor standard and that neither the lighting nor audio system on the stage work anymore. Given the windows behind the stage will need to be replaced and the stage, for example, is going to have to come out to allow the floor replacement, wet rot and ventilation works to take place underneath, this raises questions such as do we need the stage at all? Need it be in the same position? Should we have some sort of stage box system instead? And so on. There seems to be an opportunity to consider what could be done at reasonable cost to address a number of issues.

The Management Committee therefore agreed to consult with all groups that use the hall, including the Men's Institute and Pre-School, to ask for their views and ideas. While this exercise is underway, we will have plenty of other things to get on with, such as researching funding, working on possibilities for the main hall, liaising with the Listed Buildings Officer and appointing contract managers for the eventual works contract.

But please note that actually carrying out the work is still some considerable time away, so it's business as usual for many months to come. Do not hesitate to contact in the normal way should you want to book the hall for an event. Thanks,

Len Narborough and the Manor Hall Committee

 

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MANOR HALL TRUST

Important news about the Manor Hall

Our new governance document has finally been accepted by the Charity Commission, which is great news as we now look a bit more fit for purpose, which will be important for external fund raising. And we shall be seeking substantial funds given the way a host of problems are coming to light . . .

Following on from the recent survey, the condition of the manor house roof now requires further remedial specification from structural engineers due to the movement of the rafters over time, and damage by woodworm. We have therefore been selecting appropriate consultants and timber treatment specialists, and organising a new loft access point into the old roof from the Men's Institute main room.

If this wasn't enough we have also discovered extensive wet rot under the stage in the main hall, due to extreme wetness in this area and poor ventilation under the floor. All of this is on top of the other works needed to the original masonry to the old manor house, the replacement heater to the main hall, and a number of other maintenance items. It really does feel that chickens have come home to roost and we are paying for many years of minimal maintenance.

We are not yet at the stage of putting a total cost together for all the work but the support of the village as a whole will soon be needed to help overcome perhaps the biggest set of challenges since the main hall was built a hundred years ago. This is not the centenary celebratory news that we wanted to share for 2014, but then again it will be a time for some centenary fund raising to protect and preserve this unique building.

Look out for further news over the next few months. Your support will be much appreciated.

Len Narborough
The Manor Hall Committee

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HUNTING THE GIANT'S DAUGHTER AT THE MANOR HALL

One thing you can rely on is that the Beaford Arts presentations are different, thought provoking and poorly attended in Berrynarbor. Well, this representation of Tales from the times of King Arthur was no exception, so again most villagers missed out on an interesting and entertaining evening.

The event started with a school workshop run in the Manor Hall. Michael Harvey told the story, while Lyne Denman sang the songs with harp and accordion accompaniment from Stacey Blythe. The end result was enchanted children and a picture story frieze. Some children were enthralled enough to come along in the evening for a second helping.

The format of the staged show started with poetic singing in Welsh of 'I am the beginning', Then began the Tale of Culhwch seeking out his defined Lady Olwen in the lands surrounding the Bristol Channel. This is one of 11 Welsh Tales from the 12th Century. We were invited into a fantastic, primitive world where men and beasts were equal, with shape changing and magic everywhere. Not so different then from Dr. Who and Star Wars, but presented verbally and musically, on stage, to an enthralled audience. The presentation by the cast was brilliant - their diction was clear and exciting, the background music extensively amplified the storyline and the Welsh singing with a distinctly jazz feeling set the time and place into Wales, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. What could have been better?

Berrynarbor was very lucky to have this Beaford event here and to have been so well entertained so surprisingly in this 21st Century. The cast were all world-famous in their fields and the production support matched them.

Many traditional tales have a moral, and the one from this Beaford event has to be: Always attend Beaford Arts events in the Manor Hall. They are always entertaining or thought provoking and frequently both. The risk is that they pass this way only once, and you'll never know how much you're missing out, because it's gone.

Congratulations to the PTA and the Manor Hall for organising this entertaining event.

Alan

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It's that time again and we shall host our traditional Christmas Card Exchange event again this year.

For those unfamiliar with this service, there is a posting box in the village shop into which you can place cards addressed to others in the village - for a 10p donation per card please, saves on stamps!. These cards will then be set out in street order at the Manor Hall for collection at a COFFEE & MINCE PIE MORNING on SATURDAY, 21ST DECEMBER, 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. Any cards not collected [or taken for delivery by helpful volunteers!] will be delivered by Committee Members. So please support the Manor Hall and enjoy a bit of old fashioned village activity in the process.

After a period of no change in the charges for hiring the Hall, new charges are now in place. In most cases, particularly for village events, the charge remains the same, the rest have only increased slightly by in some cases just 50p. The charge for private parties for children has gone down and wedding receptions stay the same. A separate charge has been brought in for Christenings at £24.50. To see all the new charges please look at the list displayed in the Hall.

In the hall itself, users will have noted that one of the heaters is no longer working and is, in fact, beyond repair. Organising a replacement is in hand but unfortunately it is very expensive. On the topic of building condition, we can advise that the full survey of the Hall finally took place in October, carried out by Smiths Gore at Exeter. It was an interesting day, and it's clear that we face some structural issues in the old roof [Manor House wing] and a backlog of other maintenance items. The Listed Buildings Officer from North Devon Council also joined us for what became a long conversation in the old roof space! A full report back will be made in the next newsletter. Thanks to Kevin Brooks for arranging access, ladders, extra torches and some local knowledge.

In the meantime we can tell you that we are planning new signage for the Hall, Pre-school and Playground at the entrance to the driveway and a tidy up of the hedges and shrubs along the boundary with Birdswell Lane. I know people refer to this as being a 'garden' in the past - perhaps we can get back to that with some volunteer help in the spring!

Best Wishes for the Festive Season to All.

Len Narborough and the Manor Hall Committee

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Manor Hall Matters

It seems ages ago now, but we can report a good outcome from the Berry Revels held on 6th August. Unlike last year, the weather was good but nonetheless thanks to everyone who came along. Particular thanks also go to those who helped out on the night - I won't name you all but you know who you are! It's good to be in a community where people join in and help out. The total takings were £1732, which is better than in most recent years bar the extremely successful 2011.

On the topic of the Trust's income, the Management Committee reviewed hall charges at its September meeting. All charges have been frozen for the last two years so there's an argument for some sort of inflationary increase. However, it was agreed to implement mostly minor changes, largely just to tidy up and standardise charges within clear bands. The charge for not-for-profit village activities remains unchanged at £11 per session, and for children's parties the charge is actually reduced to £25. Village users continue to get discounted prices. A full list of all hall charges will be on the new village website soon - have a look at the work underway by Alex Parke at www.berrynarborvillage.co.uk

Note there are always maintenance issues to pay for - It's good to report that the latest roof repairs and new lead gutter between the two hall wings are now complete, and we have a new rear fire door, but work to the roof of the manor house wing remains a challenge.

This autumn sees a return of the 10 week watercolour programme with Ian Hudson, held on Thursday mornings. If anyone is interested in joining - it doesn't matter if you have missed a week or two - contact Pip on 883600 or Linda (883322). Make a note of the Bhangra Night on

16th November and come and party Punjabi style

Len and the Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Above you can see our new official name, now registered with the Charity Commission. It's good to stress that the Manor Hall is an independent body and registered charity, run by volunteers from the village. Longstanding residents and those who have been committee members may disagree, but from looking through the files it doesn't look as if the Manor Hall as a charity ever had a name as such, so perhaps this is long overdue!

At the rather well attended AGM on 8th May we reported on 2012/13 as a successful year with the Hall in use on all weekdays and acting as a good venue for occasional weekend events. As a result our finances are reasonably healthy, despite not increasing Hall charges or the rent charged to the School for the Parish Room last autumn. We also thank the Parish Council for their continued financial support and indeed those brave souls who withstood the awful weather for the Berry Revels event of last August. This year's Revels - with hopefully better weather - will be on Tuesday, 6th August,

At the AGM, five of the outgoing committee were re-elected, that is Geoff Adam, Nora and Alan Rowlands, Karen Ozelton and myself, and we are joined by Natalie Stanbury from Pre-School, Lorna Bowden from the Parish Council, Eileen Hobson from the Spinners and co-optees Denny Reynolds and Charlotte Fryer. We still seek nominations from the other organisations with rights to nominate, i.e. the Men's Institute and the Parochial Church Council, to rekindle the earlier practice of user and other groups being part of the management of the Hall. It can only be beneficial for the different groups in the village to have good contact with each other.

To a degree, however, our positive financial position is a result of holding back on some maintenance items and there will be some catch-up expenditure happening later in 2013. We have recently met on site with the Listed Buildings Officer from North Devon Council and hope to develop a positive relationship with the local authority over some of the works likely to be needed soon, such as to the roof timbers in the

old Manor House wing. When up in that roof space, you do wonder how much of that structure actually goes back to the late 1400's ...

Len Narborough and the Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

It has been something of a time for taking stock at the Manor Hall. We are progressing a number of sizeable repairs to the roof, gutters and replacement of one of the fire doors, which are expenses we shall just have to meet. We are also considering bringing in an accredited historic building surveying consultancy to give us a detailed view of the Hall's condition, particularly the old Manor House wing.

Meanwhile some time has been spent reviewing the position of Committee Members as charity trustees and updating the Hall's constitution which remains unchanged from 1947 when the building was purchased by the Parish Council for the 'benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish'. We wonder how many people in the village actually realise that the Manor Hall is indeed a registered charity. We have also wondered if the charity has ever actually been formally given a name, and therefore propose The Manor Hall Trust and hope to adopt both the new name and new constitution in April, using powers in the Charities Act 2011.

We shall continue, or rather revive, the practice of asking the main users of the Hall to nominate a member of their group to the Committee, and will be in touch with the user groups to try to get some nominations before our AGM in May.

The AGM is set for Wednesday 8th May at 7.30 p.m., and this year we'll provide a bit of hospitality for those who attend. Remember the Hall belongs to the village and the Committee will be largely nominated to and elected at the AGM. Afterwards, I'm sure some of us will retire to the Globe for a bit more taking stock!

Hope to see some of you that evening.

Len Narborough and the Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Many thanks to all who helped out at the card distribution and coffee morning on 15th December, especially Lorna and Stuart, and thanks to Judie and the Newsletter who again shared with us your donations for your Christmas messages in the December newsletter. These fundraising events are really important to our village life and your support is much appreciated.

There have been a number of further changes to the Manor Hall Committee in addition to the news last November that Colin Trinder was standing down as a result of his and Annie's relocation. We should now report that the Committee is also saying farewell to Bill Scholes who has stood down after some four years of sterling service. However, new members who have joined the Committee are Denny Reynolds,

Charlotte Fryer, Karen Ozelton and myself, and we shall be looking at ways of further widening membership to better reflect both users of the Hall and the village more generally.

We shall also dedicate one of the noticeboards in the Hall for Manor Hall information, including a calendar of Hall bookings - so people can see when the Hall is available - a list of all current Committee Members and details of who to contact if items are found in need of repair.

One new activity taking place in the Hall for ten weeks from

17th January is a painting class run by local artist Ian Hudson. The classes on watercolours are on Thursday mornings [10.00-12.30]. For further details and prices contact Linda Camplin on 883322.

Len Narborough and the Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Floored - Regular users of the Manor Hall will know that it was necessary to close the Main Hall for several days during November in order for the floor to be refurbished, all of which is now complete, with the floor looking almost as good as new! Prior to the work the opportunity was taken to replace the mains water pipe that runs under the floor, which had a history of leaks. In the interest of safety for all users, not least for the badminton players for whom new court markings have also been applied, the floor has been sealed with a special non-slip coating to preserve the surface.

With apologies for any disruption caused while the work was being carried out, our thanks go to all our regular users, not only for their understanding but who accepted the need, where necessary, to relocate their activities into the Penn Curzon Room.

Christmas Card Distribution - With Christmas just around the corner, the Annual Village Christmas Card Distribution will again be available, with the Collection Box in the shop until Friday December 14th. Although no exact 'postal' fee is levied, please be generous with your donations as in previous years, which go towards the upkeep of the Hall. The card distribution Coffee Morning will take place in the Hall on the morning of Saturday 15th December, 10.30 a.m. - a date for your diary and a time to come along to meet friends over a coffee and a mince pie, take your chance with the raffle and, of course, collect your cards. PLEASE put your cards in the box well in advance of the 14th, so that the majority of sorting can be done ahead of the Coffee Morning.

Bingo - Fast becoming a regular event in the Hall, another Bingo Evening is planned for Friday 7th December as a fund raiser for the School and Pre- School - another date for your diary! So come along and have a go and if you really enjoy it, perhaps you too would like to arrange a similar event in the New Year as a fundraiser for your own dedicated Group. While you are thinking about it - perhaps there is some new activity you would like to start in the village, for which the Manor Hall could be the ideal location!

Farewell - [Having sold their house and presently uncertain of where the next home will be, in November we said farewell to Colin Trinder, who stood down as Committee Chairman after a second term, having previously held the post for a number of years during his 10 year total as a committee member. In that time Colin has handled and seen through some difficult issues, devoting many hours of his time to drive forward and oversee a number of improvements, not least essential maintenance, the renewal of the kitchen area and now the 'new' floor. Our thanks to Colin for all he has done over the years, we wish him and Annie a quieter but long and happy future life, wherever that may be.

The Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The record result for the Berry Revels in 2011 was a tough act to follow, but the outcome this year was very pleasing indeed, with takings in excess of £1500 and a net result of over £1200.

Thanks go to all who came and supported us on the night, to the individuals and local businesses who were so generous in their donations to support our raffles, etc. and to the 42 volunteers who combined to staff our stalls and activities across 2 hours or more on a very showery August evening - well done and many, many thanks!

The next Manor Hall fundraiser will be the customary Christmas Coffee Morning and Christmas Card Exchange. So Saturday, 15th December is a date to go in the diary NOW!

I'm told that plans are afoot to stage a Christmas Market in late November, Beaford Arts events are scheduled this Autumn, also 2 Bingo sessions . . . so plenty planned for the coming months!

Project work at the Hall in recent times has seen new vinyl flooring fitted in the Penn Curzon Room. The mains water pipe under the floor in the Main Hall has a history of leaks so we're taking the opportunity to replace it with new, modern piping ahead of a major project to re-surface the Hall floor - more news on that and its timing will follow.

Finally comes the invitation to anyone in the parish wishing to contribute to the on-going planning and running of Manor Hall business to step forward and join the Management Team, to bring fresh ideas and purpose. Please discuss with me or, indeed, any of the Committee whose names are listed on the notice boards inside the Hall.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Hall Charges

Our policy over the last several years has been to review charges every 12 months and introduce small upward changes effective each September.  This year's review is complete and, given the current economic climate, the proposal is to defer any changes at the present time. We'll keep matters under review and reserve the right to introduce a revision down the line but, in any event, would plan for increases in September 2013.

We hope you'll all welcome this decision and continue to support the Hall and its activities.

Berry Revels    

This year's Fete will be on Tuesday 21st August and posters will be sited nearer the time giving details of time, etc.

The record success of the 2011 Fete helped swell our funds and has been a contributing factor to our decision on Hall charges. So, can we match that result, or better it, in 2012?  We could if all our Hall User Groups were to rally and each create and run a Fund Raiser Stall for the Hall, or volunteer to help run one of the established activities. This year, we'll have just 4 of our Committee around on 21st August so we really will be calling as many helpers as we can possibly get! 42 extra pairs of hands were needed last year!  If you are available to help, please let me or any of the Committee know - contact numbers are listed in the Hall.

Bingo !           

Natalie Stanbury has organised 2 trial sessions of Bingo in the Hall which have brought encouraging results as Fund Raisers for Pre- School and the Toddlers' Group. Follow-on sessions are being considered at the request of regular Bingo fans around the area. The opportunity arises therefore for any of our Hall Users to take a future session under their wing as a fundraiser for their own dedicated group. Interested? Want to have a go? Then please contact Natalie on 882252 to explore further.

New Projects 

The latest project on the drawing board is exploring the prospect of re-furbishing and re-coating the floor in the Main Hall with new markings for the badminton court. We'll keep you advised as thinking and plans progress and will try to keep disruption or any closures to a minimum.

See you at the Revels on the 21st August!

 

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The Annual General Meeting for the Hall was held at the beginning of May and my Report for the Financial Year 2011-12 reads as follows:

2012 is a significant year for Manor Hall in that it is 65 years since the acquisition of the Manor House, Hall and Parish Room from the Bassett Estate in February 1947.

We have gained the benefit of two new members on the Committee, welcoming Lorna Bowden representing the Parish Council and Natalie Stanbury the Pre-School and Toddler Group.

We said goodbye to Craig Hodgen, Anna Scholes and Marion Carter and thanked them for their help and support. We also acknowledged the significant support we have had over the years from Tom Tucker who passed away early in the year.

Cleaning has continued with Abbie Orr as our one paid staff member and continue to operate without a paid Caretaker [since 2009] but keep open the option to recruit if the volunteer help were to cease.

The new kitchen was completed with the final activities of decorating the walls and ceiling, as well as some carpentry work. Decorating was also carried out in the rear lobby and toilet areas attaching next to the Penn Curzon Room in anticipation of an Ofsted Inspection.

A number of our strip lights in various locations needed attention, and replacement proved the answer. Some of the PIR switches in various toilets were troublesome and were also replaced. The "Black Box" control unit to one of the overhead heaters failed frustratingly soon after earlier replacement, and we were grateful to the manufacturers for supplying a further unit at no charge!

Garden areas received a major cut back thanks to Chris Townsend and Michael Bowden helped us with Hedge trimming.[[[[

We sourced new crockery to complement the refurbished kitchen, and non-slip mats for the kitchen and front door areas and have also secured a new beaded curtain as a deterrent at the front door when our feathered friends return from their migration.

We have dropped the notion of upgrading the speakers and sound system for the stage area having noted that all visiting performers and musicians and discos are invariably self-sufficient with equipment.

We have introduced a new Log Book for Hall Users to record any Health and Safety issues and also to offer up any comments about the Hall premises and its usage. We had one single accident report in the year [Badminton], thankfully with no serious injury.

I'm pleased to report that all fire extinguishers have had their annual service, as have the fire alarm and emergency light circuits. Full testing of all electrical circuits is a requirement every 5 years, and our system is scheduled for re-testing in May 2012.

The Berry Revels in August 2011 saw a record result of over £2,000 and a profit over £1,500. The Christmas Coffee Morning was also well supported and monies from these 2 dedicated Fundraisers plus some shared results from the Beaford events, totalled 15% of our annual income and this has again helped us offset our running costs and keep Hire Charges extremely competitive.

Overall, we're in good financial shape with income exceeding expenditure, and we continue to have a good reserve, funded primarily through a legacy left to us a few years ago. It's salient to point to an annual running cost for the hall of over £12,000 which approximates to £40 per day including days when we're without bookings! We continued our established policy of small annual increments in Rental Rates in September, keeping our charges very keen and competitive with local alternatives.

We continue to enjoy the benefit of a Grant from the Parish Council for which we are very grateful and going forward, we're exploring the prospect of a grant from Fullabrook CIC as a potential source of income for our Roof Restoration ideas, and Sports Aid grant to lead to a rejuvenation of our sports hall flooring!

These have continued at a similar level to previous years with good, regular usage across weekdays, but still untapped capacity on Thursdays and weekends. Trials of bookings for Tai Chi and Bridge didn't convert into regular slots due to inadequate support.

Our Booking Forms and systems comply with Hallmark 2 standards, but users have to be reminded to return Confirmation Slips to keep the system working, and avoid chance of double bookings. We're hoping that a recent trial of Bingo might convert into a regular event under a series of sponsors.

2011-12 has been a satisfactory year for the Hall and the present Committee in managing the resources of not only the main hall but also Manor House & Parish Room.

I'd like to thank the present Committee for their work of the last year and continued efforts in support of the Hall and its on-going aim of providing a central resource and meeting place in the Village.

Colin Trinder - Chairman 2011-2012

The Hall will come into its own for the Jubilee Celebrations - enjoy them! And don't forget the Berry Revels to be held in August.

 

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

It's that time of year again for Financial Matters for 2011/2012 to be tidied up ready for Audit Sign-Off and ready for presentation at the upcoming AGM to be held on Wednesday, 2nd May at 7.30 p.m.

Recently, the Hall affairs have been run by a Team of 8 Committee Members, probably the lowest membership on Committee for a number of years, and we should dearly love to see another 3 or 4 people coming forward to join the Team, to bring fresh ideas and new added support. To find out more about what's involved, please don't hesitate to contact anyone on the Committee - you can find their names and contact numbers on the Notice Board inside the Hall . . . then make it known that you're ready 'n willing to help and available for election at the AGM.

But whether you are seeking to join the Committee, or simply reflecting your appreciation of the benefits of the Manor Hall as one of its users or supporters, we'd love to see you at AGM, please put the 2nd May date in your diary now!  

With the Diamond Jubilee in early June now fast approaching, you should be aware that the Hall Calendar has been blocked out for that weekend in order to give the Village the resource of an all-weather venue option for a party or whatever other function or activity is chosen by you as Berrynarbor's Celebration. Hopefully, between the time of writing this and the publication of the Newsletter, there may already be some embryonic plans in place for an event of some sort.

 If there's to be a Jubilee Celebration of 60 years, then there's also a case for Berrynarbor Villagers to smile a bit and remember that 2012 marks 65 years of the Village having the Manor Hall as a central resource and meeting point following its purchase from the Bassett's Watermouth Estate back in 1947. 

 Another Manor Hall date-for-the-diary is Tuesday 21st August The Berry Revels 2012!

ColinTrinder

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Task No.1 is to say thank you to everyone who combined to help make our Annual Christmas Distribution Morning such a big success. Thanks have to go in particular to Stuart on keyboard, the helpers in the kitchen, and to the Newsletter which shared with us your donations for your seasonal messages in the December edition. The outcome was a tidy sum approaching £300 going into our recently created Roof Restoration Fund which should help us buy a fair number of slates as and when the time comes!

Task No. 2 is to thank you also for your patience when using the Hall recently because the heaters have been playing up a bit, especially the one by the door which was substantially rebuilt early last year. So, you can appreciate the frustration of the Committee to be faced with the prospect of securing yet another black box/printed circuit at a significant cost. However, there is good news and that is, with the help of our engineers, Hiscock & Son, Ilfracombe, the manufacturers of the heaters have agreed that the effective life of the last unit was disappointingly short, so they're sending a replacement free of charge! By the time you're all reading this, things should be remedied.

  No, 3 is a request that all Hall users remember the importance of the dehumidifier . . . it's an exceptionally damp atmosphere at present and the running of this piece of kit is essential to reduce condensation on the walls which otherwise stain and bring forward the need for re-decoration. It's perfectly OK to turn it off when in session, because the machine does make a humming noise, but please, please, turn it back on again before as you leave! 

Finally, Task No. 4 is to alert you to the date of Saturday,

18th February when some of our friends from the well-established Monday afternoon Craft Group are combining to organise a Jumble Sale with the proceeds going to Hall Funds. So, even when you're reading this, there should still be plenty of time for you to rummage at home and send along all those 'never use' or 'rarely used' items to convert into ££'s or ££££'s! And better still, come along as well and buy a few bits 'n pieces, raffle tickets and refreshments. See you there!    

Colin Trinder

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

We're pleased  to report that Natalie Stanbury is set to join our Committee and represent the interests of the much younger generation in Berrynarbor - both the Pre-School [our major User Group, now taking seven half-day sessions each term week] and also the Toddlers. Also, to report that our decorating work in the rear passages and toilet areas to the left of the stage are now complete after week-end working to minimise any disruptions.

We should now like to see the Bassett Room area freshened with a lick of paint and believe that this might be possible in the New Year with a small team of volunteers giving perhaps a couple of 3 hour time slots . . . if anyone has time and is interested in helping, then please let us know.

By popular request, we shall be offering a Christmas Card Distribution service again this December, and with the help of our friends in the Shop, we'll see where we might best site the Collection Box. This will be available up until Friday 16th December. Please, please be generous with your donations again, which we plan to channel into a Roof Restoration fund, with added support from Parish Council and grant possibilities from other sources.

A village get-together in the Hall at Christmas has been a regular feature in our calendar, and 2011 is to be no exception. Put Saturday morning.. December 17th in the diary for a Coffee Morning in the Hall and come along at 10.30 a.m. to meet friends, sing carols, win raffle prizes and more!!  Please put all your Christmas Cards for the Village Distribution in the box well in advance of this date , so 99.9% of "sorting" can be done ahead of Coffee Morning. There will be no charge for this event, but generous donations are always welcome! 

Looking ahead to next year, like us, you'll be aware that 2012 is both Olympic Year, and also our Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Currently to our knowledge, there are no plans in place for Village Celebrations for one or other or both events, but we should be happy to make the Hall available for a first planning meeting if anyone is interested in kick-starting a Jubilee Event or an Olympic 2012 Activity. Let us know!

Best Wishes and Seasonal Greetings to All

Colin Trinder and Your Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The first thing to report is the result of the Berry Revels 2011 and the news that it was a record, with £2,005 going to the bank and net proceeds approaching £1,600 - all achieved in the two hour time span of the event! So there's every reason to be smiling and big thanks go to the individuals and organisations who were again so generous in their gifts and support for the raffles, auctions and the many various stalls and entertainments. Also, thanks to the volunteers who helped with the organisation and setting up, running things on the night and the clear-up afterwards, again over 40 helpers! But thanks also go to all villagers and visitors who came along, dug deep into their pockets and combined to give us such a tremendous result. We were well blessed with good weather, which helped enormously, and there is a new high target to aim for in the 2012 Revels Olympic Year! So thank you all!

As autumn fast approaches, many of our regular groups are re-forming and commencing their activities in the Hall, but there still remains space for any new groups to trial events and enjoy the facilities. We still have a table tennis table in the Bassett Room, which could be brought into play if anyone is interested . . .

The new dinner plates and coffee mugs have arrived and are ready for use in the kitchen, complementing the existing kit.

Within the Hall Programme between now and the year end is a Beaford Arts musical event on the 23rd November, and we hope to organise a Christmas Card distribution around the village and host a Seasonal Coffee Morning on Saturday, 17th December.

Please use the Comments Book located in the kitchen to record any thoughts/ideas you'd like the Committee to consider as we move forward and if anyone has time and energy to help with Hall Matters, then there is always space to come and join the present eight committee members . . . please give me a call if you would like to meet or discuss this.

Colin [889298] - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

With just a small amount of painting to do, the kitchen project should be finished by the time

you read this. To top'n'tail the project, we have sourced some new, styling white mugs for all the tea and coffee drinkers, and for those sitting down for a lunch or supper, there's a brand new stock of white dinner plates to take over from the '57 Varieties' you've been living with until now! Did you increase your own supply of recycled dinner plates from the bric-a-brac stall at the Berry Revels?!

The Committee continues to work well and has recently been joined by Lorna Bowden who has been co-opted to represent the Parish Council.

Looking ahead, you'll all be aware that 2012 is Olympic Year, but did you know it will also be 65 years in February since the Manor Hall, Manor House and Parish Room were acquired for the benefit of the parishioners?

Could this be a theme for organising and doing something tangible around the Hall and its facilities for the benefit of both present and future generations of villagers? Please do let us have your thoughts and ideas - it couldn't be easier than writing in the new comments book we've set up and located on the kitchen shelf!

Colin[889298] - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The AGM for the Hall was attended for yet another year by Committee Members only and we were disappointed not to see any of our ' Users', but our full Report and Accounts were presented for a second time at the Parish Council Meeting a week later.

The key points of the AGM Report included reference to the User Group Survey of spring 2010, and the resulting action of 3 projects:

• Additional lighting in the main hall
• Overhaul of overhead gas heaters
• Complete refurbishment of kitchen

The Accounts confirmed an income for the year of £16K and expenditure of £13.5K but all before final payments on kitchen. The overall conclusion was a year that had been very satisfactory, yet still scope for more bookings, particularly for Thursdays and weekends. 

We said sincere thank you's to Jane Vanstone and Julia Fairchild who after serving on our Committee for some nine years each had chosen to step down..  Anna and Bill Scholes, Nora and Alan Rowlands, Marion Carter and myself were re-elected, and Geoff Adam and Craig Hodgen confirmed as new members at the AGM, having joined us to help since last February. 

With up to 20 different User Groups tapping in with varying frequencies to the facilities we offer at the Hall, it would be hard to expect all wanting to send a representative to sit on the Committee... but that option is always there and we should  like to see, in particular, support to represent the younger age groups.

That said, there is always the facility to put Questions, Comments and Suggestions to the Committee either personally or via a new Log Book which has been set up and can be found in the Kitchen.....so, anyone can use it to record views, ideas or requests.

Our Committee Agenda for the June and July meetings will almost certainly include planning for the Berry Revels 2011, which will be held on Tuesday, 2^nd August. Last year's event was very successful and included a number of new activities and games to keep everyone amused. An important part of that success was the number of volunteers who stepped in to help in all aspects of set-up and running things . . . like 42 in all!

2011 will be equally challenging, so if you have time and are willing to help, then let anyone on the Committee know and we'll sign you up!

Alternatively, add your name to the Recruitment Notice to appear in the Hall and put 2nd August date in your diary NOW!

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The latest news from the Manor Hall concerns the refurbishment of the kitchen and the opportunity to report that this project is well advanced, but there are still some important finishing touches needed. The wooden panelling to the walls and ceiling have been prepared for final decorating and a certain amount of tiling will be needed. All should be complete by the end of March and we hope you'll be pleased with the result. In stripping out the old kitchen, you'd be amazed how much "clutter" we had to clear out in to the magic wheelie bin, and in going forward, we need your help please to ensure that there is no build up of such stuff in the future! Thank you.

A new supply of extra blue padded chairs is in the pipeline as part 2 of the plan to phase out the plastic ones. This will take the total of this better variety to over 70. Long may you sit comfortably!

There is a Health & Safety issue which I really must draw to everyone's attention. It concerns the Fire Alarm. It seems that a fault had developed on one piece of the circuitry which probably caused a false alarm, but certainly for a fault light to be activated on the Control Box just inside the front door. To 'kill' the alarm, someone switched off the mains power to the system but did not alert anyone! The result was a period when the Hall was without alarm cover! The back-up batteries [there to keep the system alive should mains power ever be interrupted] became discharged and the batteries had to be replaced, at a cost approaching £45!  I leave you to be judge on this one but we must ask all Hall Users to be alert to any issues arising and report any problems to myself or indeed anyone on the Committee. An important matter like this must never go unreported! 

On a positive note, I'm pleased to advise that Craig Hodgen and Geoff Adam have responded to my earlier requests for help on the Hall Committee and have now joined the group. At the same time, at least one of our long-standing Committee members has signalled intention to step down at the next AGM, so there is still room for an extra volunteer or two to help keep the ship afloat and heading in the right direction. The AGM will be held on Wednesday, 4th May at 7.30 p.m. As usual, this is an open meeting and it would be good to see a representative from the different user groups.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Christmas and New Year seem weeks ago now, as does the Manor Hall Christmas Card Distribution and Coffee Morning. However, it's never too late for saying a big 'Thank you all' for supporting the event, and for coming along on that snow-covered Saturday to enjoy the morning festivities and join in the carol singing led by Stuart and the village choir. A very relaxed and informal couple of hours and a sum in excess of £300 raised to support Hall funds. A major slice came from the donations for Christmas messages published in the December Newsletter. Thank you all and thank you Judie and the Newsletter!

As we move into 2011, your Committee has been busy behind the scenes. Firstly, a number of updates and improvement to some of the electrical circuitries have been completed, and secondly, our heating engineer has been grappling with the dreaded gas heater No. 4, seeking to sort out what has been a long standing problem. Hopefully this should be sorted by the time you're reading this.

The third area of activity concerns the kitchen where we're near concluding the plans for a major refurbishment. Part of the planning will be to carry out the work with minimum disruption to our valued regular bookings, but some impact may be unavoidable. If you are the organiser or leader of a regular activity in the Hall which would rely on kitchen access, then you will be contacted ahead of any work. Everyone's patience and understanding would really be appreciated.

A concluding note has to be a vote of thanks to Tom Bartlett for his help and support on the Committee for several years now. Tom has resigned his duties . . . to free up more time for even more holidays?! Enjoy!

So, the Committee presently stands at eight members, at least two of whom have served on the Committee for close on ten years, and could be seeking to stand down this spring. So, again, comes the question of new members. Of possible interest? Want to know more? If so, please do give me a call on [01271] 889298. Kind regards.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The Christmas Holidays are almost upon us and I guess you'll be reading this and perhaps trying to wrap those final presents, and complete the Christmas card list . . . but remember, you do not need to be rushing out to catch a regular mail collection for your cards within the confines of the Village, by popular request we're again offering a rapid delivery service. Use the Christmas Card Collection Box sited in the Shop for your cards by Friday, 17th December and please include a generous donation per card in support of Manor Hall Funds for 2011.

  Ever popular has been the Christmas Coffee Morning in the Manor Hall and this year it's booked for Saturday 18th December at 11.00 a.m. Put the date on your calendar NOW as a 'not to be missed' social event and come along for an hour or so to enjoy coffee [maybe some seasonal punch!] and I'm sure there'll be mince pies 'n biccies , a raffle and more. With popular Christmas music and carols, we hope to have with us some of the children from the School and the Village Choir to help make the morning go with a swing!

2011 seems destined to be another important year for your Committee and an Agenda item presently under discussion is the refurbishment of the kitchen area. More news on this as the new year unfolds, but if you have your own thoughts on what's needed, then please make them known to me or any member of the Committee.

The Manor Hall has been a popular choice of venue for various functions over the years, including wedding receptions, but we're a bit short on capacity to host such an event for William and Kate in 2011! So, instead, we'll be looking at the opportunities for a Berrynarbor Royal Wedding event around the Manor Hall, a Street Party or a Dance or all of these and more! Plans might start in earnest when the date is announced.

  Could such an exercise interest YOU to join the Manor Hall Committee? We didn't actually get 100's of volunteers coming forward after the article in the last Newsletter . . . in fact, the response was '0'!

I hope to see you all at the Manor Hall on the 18th. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year.

Colin Trinder

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

I must start with a big Thank You to everyone who helped and supported, in whatever way, to this year's highly successful Berry Revels. Whether through donations of raffle prizes, baking of cakes and the like, the contributions were truly appreciated. Also of tremendous importance was the help provided in setting up the event and running of the various stalls in the evening, when we had the help of at least 45 volunteers! And finally, thank you to all those who joined the activities and spent money! You've probably already seen the notices around the village but, to recap, the result was a net £1,360.

The next thing to report is a project in the Main Hall to improve the options for lighting. Many requests for which came from our Hall User Questionnaire earlier this year. Hopefully by the time you're reading this article, the work will have been completed and lighting improved for close-up work for craft, spinning and upholstery people, and also capable of being subdued for parties, dining and stage functions.

We've addressed the issue of heating the Main Hall and taken expert advice on different options, remembering that the building is used just intermittently, at different times of the day, with no two days being the same. The big downside to most of the alternatives to the present system is a long warm up time, requiring systems to be running for longer periods, with complex programming and much higher running costs! Against that background, I have to report on your Committee's decision to stick with the current overhead gas heater system for the foreseeable future. For the future, as technology changes and improves, more cost effective options may arise.

There are Beaford Arts Events for your diary in October and November [details appear elsewhere] . . . please, please try and attend.

Finally comes a request for further help on the Manor Hall Committee. Essentially, we're in need of a new recruit or two [even 3!] to join and help steer the future direction and running of this key village facility. Ideally we'd like to see new, younger blood coming forward. Interested and want to know more? Give me a call on [01271] 889298.

Colin Trinder

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The first important thing to say this month is " Happy 21st" to the Berrynarbor Newsletter and a big " Thank You " for all the help and support given to reporting Manor Hall Matters over the years.

  Next, comes a " Must Not Miss" date for your diary and that is Tuesday 17th August for the 2010 Berry Revels Evening Fete . . . Please come along and lend your support on the night, but meantime, howsabout turning out some of that unwanted bric-a-brac or books that are now ready for others to read and enjoy. Bring them along to Manor Hall earlier in the day! If you have any ideas for new fund-raiser stalls for the fete then please make them known, or, better still, why not volunteer to set up and run a stall that evening for Manor Hall funds.

  Decorating works to the outside of windows are now complete and I hope you think the buildings are now looking in good shape. The last lap will be some attention to the woodwork on the front porch which will hopefully be finished by the time you're reading this! 

The User Group Questionnaires are now analysed and we're beginning discussions with the various trades to cost out options to improve both the lighting and heating, as well as exploring whether grants might still be available in these difficult budget-cutting times! We're also exploring options to improve the kitchen area . . . more news to follow!

See you at the "Berry Revels"!

Colin - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The AGM was disappointing in terms of attendance, but the business agenda was transacted, Accounts for 2009-2010 approved and the Committee for the next twelve months voted in. Thanks were expressed for the inputs over time of Margaret Weller and Mick Gadd, who are now stepping back.

The questionnaires from User Groups are still coming in, so it's a bit early to report a full analysis, except to say that heating, lighting and kitchen get a fair number of mentions! Hopefully the new Committee will have the opportunity for a first discussion on all points at the June meeting.

Meantime, as I write this, work is about to start on external decorating of windows using the same contractor who did the internal decorating of the main hall last year. The programme is likely to take 4-5 days but should not be disruptive on routine use of the main Hall, Penn Curzon Room or Men's Institute.

Discussions are underway with Beaford Arts for events in October and November time, but an earlier date for your diary is the Berry Revels on Tuesday, 17th August when we shall be looking for help and input from User Groups to run various stalls and we should like to introduce a number of new activities if possible, to breathe some variety into the event. So your ideas and thoughts would be welcome please!

Finally, with the hint of summer around, a reminder that the Manor Hall has 2 gazebos and a 'new in 2009' larger marquee-type shelter, so if you're planning a big BBQ or family gathering in the garden, then these are available for hire at a modest cost!

Colin - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The feedback from those who supported the Simon Banks Musical Evening and Supper in early February was extremely positive and thanks must go to committee members for their help in staging the event and providing puddings! Particular thanks to Alan for his tenacity throughout the preceding days and weeks to get things organised. So, a qualified success for our first 'fund raiser' of the year!

Growing our funds is really important as they are forever being stretched!  At the time of writing, for example, we've just had to contend with a major breakdown of the gas boiler which serves the Penn Curzon Room and to reorganise the configuration of some of the guttering at the rear of the building to avoid further water entry and damage to plasterwork beyond that which occurred during the bad weather since the new year.

  So, can I again emphasise the continued importance of fund raising and the hope of your full support for the two Beaford Arts events scheduled for a few weeks' time?

  Also, just round the corner, on Wednesday 5th May to be precise, we shall be holding our Annual General Meeting. This will be, as always, an open meeting and we should love to see a presence from all the User Groups. Please do your best to send a representative.

  Hopefully by now, the Regular User Groups will have received a short form on which to record and input their collective views to define the projects and priorities they believe the Manor Hall Committee should consider in the months and years ahead, both for the buildings and the facilities. From these form inputs and from the Committee itself, we hope to organise a short, medium and long term Action Plan as well as developing plans for further fund raising and grant applications to support the Action Plan and anticipate some ambitious ideas! 

One project which will get underway in the coming weeks will be the external decoration and treatment of window timbers. Timings are not yet fully defined and will be dictated, to some extent, by the weather.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Hopefully, it's not too late to send good wishes for the New Year to all supporters and users of the Manor Hall.

The support we get from the village and beyond is really appreciated and it is pleasing to report that the proceeds of the Christmas Coffee Morning resulted in over £300 going to our funds. Particular thanks to the school children who blessed us with their carols, to Stuart for entertaining the gathering with his music, and to the Newsletter for sharing with us the money raised from the Christmas messages in the December issue.

In the last Newsletter I was thanking Hedi and wishing her well as she retired as Caretaker, and now I have to record special thanks to Anne Hinchliffe, who has served tirelessly on the Manor Hall Committee for many, many years but has decided now to step down for personal reasons. Sincerely, Anne, we thank you.

As we move on with Manor Hall work in 2010, it is pleasing to report that repairs are now completed on certain sections of the roof, we've got rid of various electrical gremlins and the kitchen window has had its long-awaited make-over!

Over the next six months or so, your Committee hopes to lay down the foundations for a short, medium and longer term plan for any necessary repairs, renovations and upgrading of the facilities and the funding requirements, and it is planned to get inputs from user groups in due course . . . more news in the following weeks!

Hoping to see you at the several fundraiser events coming up, including the evening with Simon Banks in February and Beaford Arts events a little later.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Hedi Belka has long been a supporter of the Manor Hall and has acted as Caretaker for more years than she cares to remember! So it is sad that she has decided to retire from the role. Consequently, I'd like to record everyone's sincere thanks for her much appreciated contribution over the years.

With Christmas fast approaching, please remember you can again send your greetings cards within the village using the Manor Hall distribution box, to be found in the Shop. All donations will be appreciated and will go towards funds for the Hall for 2010. Please put Saturday, 19th December as a 'not to be missed' date in your diary and on your calendars for the customary Coffee Morning in the Hall, with festive goodies, carol singing, raffle and more! Meet from 10.30 a.m.

The New Year is when we'll be trialling a Saturday morning 'Table Top Sale', aka Indoor Boot Fair. We'll need 8 - 10 tables to be booked to ensure viability . . . please 'phone me on 889298 if you'd be interested in booking.

There is also the prospect of a Jazz Evening - provisionally for Saturday, 20th February and new Beaford Arts events for the spring . . . so lots in store!

All for now, except best wishes from your Hall Management Committee for the Festive Season.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

A big " Thank You" to everyone who helped and supported this year's Berry Revels fundraiser at the beginning of August. Notwithstanding the rather indifferent weather, attendance numbers were similar to earlier years and the result has been £1200 going into the funds to help finance the running of this key facility of the village.

With costs for everything always 'on the up' it's perhaps worth reminding everyone that some £15,000 is now needed to run the Hall for a year, that's fast approaching £300 a week or nearly £45 a day, which puts the still very competitive rental rates into perspective!

Work is planned for the repair and external decoration of the windows in the immediate future, and there seems to be a need to be up on the roof again to fix loose slates and avoid wet ceilings - it's on-going!

Your Committee is always asking itself "How might we do better?" So if you have ideas which could fit for next year's Revels then please let us have them, or indeed, other ideas for events you'd like to see staged at Manor Hall at some time.

We've set a date of Saturday 19th December for the Christmas Coffee Morning & Christmas Card Distribution event, and are considering the idea of a Cheese & Wine evening around that time too. We'd also like to hear from people who might be interested in a Table Top Sale, on a Saturday morning were we to organise one, either in November or in the New Year. The New Year is also when we hope to hold a "Quiz 'n Curry" Supper Evening. So please watch notice boards for further details as the ideas unfold!

Colin Trinder - Chairman of the Management Committee

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MANOR HALL MATTERS!

The first thing I should like to do as the new Chairman is to convey a vote of thanks to Bob Hobson for his efforts and achievements of the last 31/2 years as Chairman of your Management Committee.

With the main hall freshly decorated and new curtains now ready for hanging, things are looking good . . . but, round the corner are always new projects to take on in buildings the age of ours.

Recently the systems and procedures operated by the Committee have been independently audited and it's pleasing to report that the Manor Hall has achieved the award of a Hallmark standard for the way it works. There will be a presentation of the Award in the coming weeks.

Running costs of the last year were close to £16,000 and this level of expenditure seems likely to continue. It means £300 a week, or approaching £50 per day, irrespective of occupancy levels. This in turn has called for a review of Rental Rates which have been unchanged now for three years, despite large increases in utility bills, of which you will be aware. The new rates - given below - mean your facilities at the Hall remain the most competitive of all village halls in the area. They come into effect from the 1st May 2009.

The Committee continues to strive to ensure the buildings and facilities are developed and run to a good standard, and would welcome your input of constructive ideas and suggestions for the future.

This year's Berry Revels will be on Tuesday, 4th August. Please make a note in your diary and come to give your support to our Manor Hall.

Colin Trinder - May 2009

 

Category A: Regular non profit-making meetings [at least monthly]
Category B: Regular commercial events or other less frequent meetings
Session Times: 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. 1.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. 6.00 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.

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MANOR HALL NEWS

We have had a busy time at the Manor Hall over the past weeks, with the completion of the decorating of the main hall and putting back all the items which are displayed. A major water leak occurred and the repair of this has cost over £1800, but this should ensure it does not occur again for many years to come!

We applied for a grant of £400 for new curtains and rails and I believe we will have the cheque from the North Devon District Council shortly.

The Hall has been busy with events for all sorts of fund raising activities, and we thank the people who have used the hall, as it maintains our efforts to collect enough money to keep it going, we are after all a charity that needs funds too!

I should like to thank all the people who have supported me as Chairman over the past 41/2 years and hope that the new Chairman will have similar support.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

N.B. Look out for Hallmark Awards as the Committee works towards the first stage of this award.

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MANOR HALL NEWS

The Pre-Christmas Coffee Morning and Christmas Card distribution was well attended and very successful. Money raised from the coffee, cards and raffle amounted to £184 and with the contribution from messages in the Newsletter, the total amount for the morning was a very welcome £324. Thanks to all those who supported the event, helped in any way, the pupils from the Primary School who entertained us with Christmas songs and carols, and Judie and the Newsletter for the shared message funds.

Work is in progress for the redecoration of the main hall and by the time you read this the work should be complete. We also hope to replace the four sets of curtains and for the future we are looking at obtaining grants to put new double glazed windows in the hall to improve the light and reduce heating costs.

There are two events being run by the Manor Hall and Shop committees, Tales of Time and Tide on Saturday, 7th February and Twitcher with a Twist on Sunday, 5th April. Please make a note of the dates and we hope to see you at one or both of these performances by Beaford Arts.

The AGM for the Hall will be with us again before too long and I again urge people who use the hall to come and join the Committee. We shall also need a new Chairman, as I shall be resigning at the AGM, so please ring me to discuss the situation.

Best wishes to everyone for the New Year.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Work will start on the 5th January 2009 to redecorate the hall. This means that the hall will be out of use for everyone until February. A letter has been sent to all hall users. We apologise for the inconvenience this work will cause and hope you will bear with us until it is finished. The Penn Curzon Room could be an alternative in the afternoon if any group is willing and able to use the space available.

With ever-increasing costs of maintenance and services, it is proposed to increase the charges for hiring the Hall and Penn Curzon Room by a nominal 10% as from May 2009. The current charges, operational since April 2006, are:

Room/Event	Category	Price per Session
Main Hall	A	£8
	B	£12
Penn Curzon Room	A	£7
	B	£10.00
Fund Raising, i.e. Coffee Morning		£20
Fete		£35
Children's Party		£25
Wedding		£140

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Bob Hobson - Chairman

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THE MANOR HALL

In July, the BBC gave the Manor Hall the magnificent sum of £700, which was accepted with great delight and we should like to thank all the hard working team for this generous donation.

In August we held our Berry Revels and chose a dry day for the event! We made over £1200. Well done to all those who worked so hard and a special thanks to Ivan Clarke and his family for all their hard work and commitment to the village.

We are still waiting for further quotes for the decoration of the Hall, but we are hopeful that the leaks in the roof will soon be put right.

On Friday, 10th October, in conjunction with the Beaford Arts Centre, we are putting on a Comedy Play entitled 'Funeral Games', by Unpacked Theatre, who have recently appeared at the Edinburgh Festival.

This should be a very good evening, starting at 7.30 p.m. in the Manor Hall, with a bar and costing £7.50 [under 16'S £4.00]. So make a note of it in your diary NOW and come along and support this activity. This is a joint venture between the Manor Hall and our Community Shop.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Berry Revels will be held on
Tuesday, 19th August, commencing at 6.30 p.m.

There will be lots of stalls in and outside the Hall - BBQ, a Bar and Entertainment by the Red Petticoats, as well as face-painting and candyfloss, to name but a few of the attractions. We do need bottles for the bottle stall, so if you can help please leave them either with Tony Summers or a Committee Member.

The Committee would like to thank members of the BBC for their gift of £700 to help with the expenses of the Hall. This was very much appreciated and will be spent wisely. Thanks, also, to the Parish Council and the men involved in cutting back the overhanging branches of trees in the car parking area, and well done the committee for painting the toilets in the Bassett Room.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Chairman's Report 2007-8

Work has continued on updating the Hall to meet the requirements of current legislation. New fuse boxes have been fitted and the switches have been rearranged to enable easy access. The Men's Institute was also updated and £100 was contributed by them to help with the expense. The wiring and lighting on the stage has been updated and is now in a safe condition.

Work in the kitchen includes a new hot water heater and sink taps, and a new electric cooker with associated new wiring was installed. To ensure children could not scold themselves, a thermostat was installed in the Penn Curzon area at the request of the Pre-School Group.

The Christmas card distribution and coffee morning was enhanced by the Primary School children singing carols.

In the winter the roof leaked and one of the electric fans in the roof was damaged and had to be replaced. The roof has been temporarily repaired and more money needs to be spent on the problem.

Our fund raising continued in the year but the money did not cover the cost of running the Hall this year. We are aware that interest in the Village Shop this year has taken preference over the Hall, but we hope this will change in the coming year.

Parish Rooms - we are hopeful that a new lease will be signed shortly and that the school, through the County, will be able to start work bringing the rooms up to the required standard for the use of children.

In the coming year a new heater replacement will cost over £1,000, we are working toward the new CCD Hallmark Awards for Village Halls and hope to repair the roof and redecorate the Hall.

Many thanks to all those who have put so much work into keeping our Hall going.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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NB - We are once again supplying hand towels, tea towels and dishcloths for use at the Hall, all of which have gone missing. Also, the new stapler has been removed. We regret that we cannot continue forever supplying these items.

Advance Notice - This year's Berry Revels will be on Tuesday, 19th August. Please make a note to keep this date free in your diary.

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THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

In a short time, on the 7th May, we shall be holding our Annual General Meeting and we should like to have some new members on our Committee.

We work hard to satisfy the needs of the community and all the new regulations which seem to occur on a regular basis. For this work and for new ideas, we should welcome members of the users of the hall and people with a community spirit to join us and help keep the hall in good order for everyone. Please give me a ring on [01271] 882353.

The roof has been temporarily repaired and a new controller and fan will be fitted shortly. The overhead heaters have been serviced and our new chairs have arrived.

Archivist We have old minute books and information on the Manor Hall collected in boxes in several locations. We are hoping to find someone who might be interested to draw all the information together to look after our local history.

If you would be interested in carrying out this work, please do give me a ring.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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THE MANOR HALL

We had another successful Christmas Card collection and delivery this year. The children from the Primary School helped to sort the cards and distribute to those addresses within the immediate vicinity of the Hall. We especially enjoyed their singing for us in the Manor Hall on the Saturday morning, and many enjoyed the mulled wine and coffee. Many thanks to all who supported the event and those who kindly helped.

We raised £373 and of this £187 was raised for us by the greetings via Judie and the Berrynarbor Newsletter.

For the coming year, we hope to purchase some new padded seats! We also hope to resolve the problem of the leaking roof!

Happy New Year to all our Hall users and thank you for your support.

Bob Hobson - Chairman - Management Committee

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Dear Manor Hall Users

Due to the new legislation under the Landfill Directive, the handling of waste on commercial premises, which includes the Manor Hall, has changed from the 30th October 2007.

We are now obliged to recycle all our waste which in the past has been put into the black bin. To help with this process at the Manor Hall, we shall provide a green bin for cardboard only. All other recyclables will have to be removed by you, the hirer of the Manor Hall.

The following cannot be left at the Hall:

• Glass - green, white [clear], brown
• Drink cans and food tins
• Any plastic bottles
• Paper [newspapers, magazines, office paper, etc.]

Cardboard placed in the green bin will be collected by South Molton Recycle Ltd. at a cost to the Manor Hall. All other waste, such as tea bags, wrappers, etc., should be placed in the black bin provided by North Devon District Council.

Thank you for your help.

Bob Hobson - Chairman, Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

We have now put a new power line in to the kitchen to enable us to install a new water heater and taps for the sink unit, and exchange the gas cooker for an electric one, which should prove to be safer than its predecessor.

On Saturday, 13th October, we are holding a Quiz in the Manor Hall in conjunction with Exmoor Zoo. The money raised will be shared between the BIAZA Rainforest in Madagascar and the Manor Hall. We hope that everyone, especially user groups, will form teams to compete in this exciting new event.

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Manor Hall is used by many groups of people and we rely on everyone using the Hall to leave it in a tidy condition, with chairs and tables put back in their original position.

We are making progress, slowly, with some changes to the kitchen and a new power supply will be required so that we may install a new electric cooker and reorganise the hot water system for the sink and supply new taps.

In October we are having a new fund-raising event hopefully on Saturday, 13th October. This will be a quiz night called 'Bush Tucker Night' held with the help of Exmoor Zoo - more information next time but please put the date in your diary for a fun night out.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Annual General Meeting was held on the 2nd May at which the Chairman, Bob Hobson, gave his report:

Our main programme over the year has been twofold: [1] to maintain sufficient funds to cover the cost of maintaining the Hall and [2] to work on meeting the requirements of government legislation, in particular the Disability Discrimination Act.

We first paid for a 'walk and talk audit' of the buildings to find out what work was required. A report was issued from which we produced an Action Plan. This plan has been the focus of the Committee for the year with many of the projects being achieved. Many of them were required under the DDA, such as the parking bay by the door, the ramp and rails in the porch, the induction loop and access to the ambulant toilet.

In August the Penn Curzon Room was redecorated and new display boards installed. This was funded by a grant from Pre-School via Sure Start and the Manor Hall. The Berry Revels raised over £1,500 with a further £300 being raised by an evening with the Hearts of Oak folk group.

On 7th November, a fire occurred in the boiler room resulting in the closure of the Pre-School and some hall activities. The cost of repairs and loss of earnings were covered by the insurance. Cleaning and redecorating took place where necessary and a new boiler installed.

Thanks to our cleaners, Barbara and John, who after 18 years of service have resigned. Charlotte Fryer has taken over the cleaning duties and Hedi Belka, after an absence due to illness, has returned as our Caretaker.

A humidifier was purchased and was successful in keeping the winter condensation at bay, but we have had many small maintenance problems with some still ongoing, and John Fanner has been helpful solving many.

Our other task of controlling the finances has been successful and we finish the year in the black to the tune of £275 and we have £18,000 in our building society account. A new lease of 25 years for the Parish Room is near to conclusion which should mean the refurbishment of the building to meet legislation for schools.

For the coming year we are looking to improve the shrubbery around the buildings and car park and to look at the problems of dampness in the listed building, on the ground floor and in the Men's Institute. Advice is being sought on the best solution considering the age of the building and its category as a listed building.

Finally, a big thank you to all the team that keeps the main hall in good shape and financially viable.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

The resignations from the Committee by Vi and Ann Davis were regrettably accepted and they were thanked for all the hard work they had put in over the years and were assured of a warm welcome should they feel able to return.

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The Committee for the year 2007-2008 is:

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MANOR HALL NEWS

During the Easter period, the fuse boxes and switches in the Hall are due to be updated, which will bring the standard of electrical wiring up to the latest legislation. Trees have been cut down in the grounds to save damage to the Manor Hall roof tiles and work is progressing on tidying the hedges on both the road side and the car park. We should like to thank the people, holiday makers I think, who left a cheque for £40.00 at The Globe recently - the money was given for the upkeep of the Hall.

Finally, it is getting near AGM time and we should welcome anyone interested in joining us to look after the Manor Hall for the people of Berrynarbor.

Bob Hobson

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MANOR HALL MYSTERY

During the Christmas period, a person or persons unknown entered the Penn Curzon Room and removed from the fuse box, which is inside a cupboard, all the fuses. The result was that Sure Start could not operate in the room and we had a bill from the electrician for finding the fault and replacing the fuses! The bill for this came to £40.00 and it would be very nice if a cheque could be sent to the Manor Hall Committee to cover this expense.

On a lighter tone, we had another very successful Christmas Card Distribution and Coffee Morning, raising £250, some £70 more than last year. This included a very welcome sum of £106 from the greetings given in the Newsletter. We also have a special parking bay marked out for the disabled and I should ask all car users to respect this area.

I must thank all Hall users for their forbearance following the fire in the boiler room, and finally I can announce that we have appointed Charlotte Fryer as our new cleaner for the Manor Hall and wish her all the best in her new task.

Bob Hobson - Chairman, Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL NEWS

A parking space for the disabled has to be provided as close to the Manor Hall entrance as possible and this will be in place by Christmas. We held a folk evening in September and thanks to our Secretary, Margaret, and her team, raised over £300 for Manor Hall funds.

In the new year we hope to update the electrical fuse box and rearrange the switch by the door to meet safety standards - we are waiting for a further quotation for the job.

Finally, I should like to thank our hard working team for their support over the year and wish them a Very Merry Christmas.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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STOP PRESS

We have had a fire in the boiler room and as a result part of the building is out of use, but the main hall is still available although a bit grimy in places. Work is in hand to clean the Hall and other areas but we ask for your forbearance in this matter until we can get back to normal.

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MANOR HALL NEWS

Many thanks to everyone for all your help and support with the August Berry Revels, which were a great success weather-wise and financially - just over £1,500 - a big help towards meeting the requirements of the Disabled Discrimination Act. The porch ramp and handrail are in place, the door frame in the Bassett Room removed to enable wheelchairs to reach the fire exit and the outside path widened for a speedier and easier exit. We have also acquired an induction loop and two chairs with arms.

On the 23rd September, the Hearts of Oak gave a great performance as well as very generously donating their fee to our funds - £300 raised. As announced, they are disbanding but not before giving their final concert at the Roundswell Community Hall, Barnstaple, on Saturday, 28th October, 7.30 p.m. to 12.00 midnight. Proceeds for the North Devon Hospice [01271-344248], tickets £5.00 and take your own supper and beverages.

Thinking ahead, the village Christmas Card Collection and Delivery, with the help of the Community Shop, will be operating again this year. With a 10p per card donation, put your cards in the 'special box' provided at the shop. Cards will be sorted and delivery arranged at the Manor Hall Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday, 16th December.

Thank you for your support.

Margaret Weller - Secretary
Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL NEWS

Our main fund raising event will be the Berry Revels which will be on Tuesday, 15th August, and we hope to see lots of people to support the Manor Hall. In September we shall be hosts to the South Molton group, Hearts of Oak, for an evening's entertainment.

We'll be starting work on improving access for the disabled during the school holiday period and the first step [!] will be a ramp running through the porch for easy access for wheelchair users - other changes will then follow.

A new book has been provided, kept in the kitchen, for reporting accidents. Please fill in details of any incidents that occur. Tom Bartlett is now in charge of the Health and Safety policy at the Manor Hall.

Bob Hobson - Chairman, Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL NEWS

After careful consideration, the Committee have decided that hiring charges for the Hall should be increased and the following table shows the new prices from March 2006.

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The AGM was held on the 3rd May and the following Officers were elected:

Chairman: Bob Hobson
Secretary: Margaret Weller
Treasurer: Nora Rowlands
Booking Clerk: Alan Rowlands

The Chairman would like to thank the outgoing officers for all their hard work over the past years and was pleased that they agreed to remain on the Committee as village representatives.

The work over the past year has mainly been in looking after the fabric of the buildings, including the work on the gents' toilets. Our main concern over the coming year is to run the Hall and break even at the end of the year. Pressures for not achieving this include escalating prices for services, such as gas, electricity and water. We also have to come to terms with the latest legislation - Disability Discrimination Act. This will affect many parts of the building, one in particular will be the installation of a hearing loop system which could cost over £2,000!

Finally, many thanks for the tea cloths donated and could anyone please help with the whereabouts of the small, folding table which has gone missing from the Hall?

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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MANOR HALL NEWS

The Annual General Meeting this year will be held on Wednesday, 3rd May, at 7.30 p.m. We shall be saying goodbye to Jane Vanstone as our Secretary and we should like to thank her for all her hard work. It is hoped that a replacement will be available. Jane may stay on as a Committee Member representing village views. We should also like to welcome any other members of the village who would like to bring their views on how the Manor Hall could be managed.

In the kitchen of the Manor Hall our stock of tea towels and tablecloths is somewhat diminished and we should be grateful for any replacements. Please leave them either at the Community Shop or at the Manor Hall. In the meantime, users of the kitchen might be advised to take their own tea towels, etc.

Bob Hobson

Chairman - Manor Hall Committee

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MANOR HALL NEWS

The Christmas Card Collection and Distribution was again very successful and the event raised £180, including the Coffee Morning and raffle. All our thanks to the helpers and especially to the Community Shop for collecting the cards.

During January the locks on the doors to the Manor Hall and Penn Curzon Room will be changed. This will help to comply with insurance recommendations and also the possibility of illegal access due to so many keys in circulation at the present time.

The key system cannot be copied except through the master key holder - contact the Chairman who can authorise a replacement at a cost of £10.00.

With the current interest in the 'No Smoking' in public areas' debate and imminent changes to the Law, the Committee has decided to recommend that a No Smoking policy be employed for the Manor Hall buildings, both for health and fire safety.

Bob Hobson - Chairman, Manor Hall Committee

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NEWS FROM THE MANOR HALL

The stage doors have now been modified so that they hinge outwards and give easier access to the storage space underneath the stage. During the next few weeks, new locks will be fitted to the Manor Hall doors to help with insurance issues and new keys will be distributed to user groups on completion. The mosaic project undertaken by the Women's Institute is nearly complete and will be hung in the Hall in the near future.

The Hall will be decorated for Christmas in early December and anyone willing to help would be most welcome. Please contact Bob Hobson [882353] or any Committee Member.

We shall be providing the usual Christmas Card distribution service and full details appear later in this Newsletter.

Bob Hobson - Chairman

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NEWS FROM THE MANOR HALL

The Committee would like to thank everyone who helped, donated and supported the Berry Revels - a very successful evening which raised £1700 for our Hall. Special thanks to Ivan Clarke and his family who not only ran the barbecue but also supplied and donated all the food.

Bookings for the Hall are now into the autumn session and a reminder that they should be made through Margaret Weller on 882927.

Work to improve the facilities continues and the men's toilet is now finished. Thank you for your patience whilst the work was carried out. This has completed the refurbishment of the toilets.

The Committee are currently in the process - no mean task - of updating the health and safety aspects and regulations for the Hall - more information in the December Newsletter.

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NEWS FROM THE MANOR HALL

There have been some changes recently in the Manor Hall Committee. The AGM saw three new members - Margaret Weller, Marion Carter and Christine Burbridge - and Colin and Annie Trinder have now left the village and for a short time we were without a Chairman and one member down! On behalf of the Committee and the village, I should like to take this opportunity to thank Colin and Annie for all their hard work and wish them every happiness in their new venture. The Committee would like to welcome the new Chairman, Bob Hobson. Bob spent his early childhood in the area, left and then returned to Combe Martin in 1987, where he ran a hardware business for some years. He has been both Secretary and Chairman of the British Hardware Federation and President of the Lions Club of Ilfracombe. He is also a golfer.

Margaret Weller is taking over the bookings of the Hall from Vi Davies but as Vi is Treasurer, they will be working closely together. If you are thinking of making a booking, Margaret's 'phone number is 882927.

The next meeting of the Committee will be at the Manor Hall, 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 7th September. A reminder to all groups and organisations who hire the Hall that they can and should be represented at the meetings.

Jane Vanstone

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Annual General Meeting, Wednesday, 11th May 2005

Treasurer's Report

The overall financial position of the Manor Hall accounts is positive and healthy. We started the year with £23,000 and closed with £21,500, so we're down a bit year-on-year.

Our Insurers have yet to issue renewal paperwork for March, so the real position of funds is actually down to £20,000 as the insurance is about £1,500.

Income from the hire of the Hall to our regular users at £5,900 is up significantly on the previous year because more new classes have started and extra bookings have arisen when Adult Education classes finish, but attendees continue to meet in affinity groups. Use for parties has increased and we have hosted one major wedding reception.

The support of the Parish Council with an £800 grant towards our insurance costs remains really important to us.

Income from fund raising is also up by almost £100 at £1900. This is due to a good result from the Berry Revels, a record result for our Christmas Card Coffee Morning and £150 from our two trial Table Top Sales. These offset monies now separated from the Manor Hall for the Horticultural and Craft Show in September.

Expenditure is higher than previously at almost £12,000 because of the added costs of the toilet refurbishment project and the building of the next extra toilet with facilities for the disabled.

Without allowing for any maintenance work, it is important to see that the basic annual running costs of the Hall are close to £6,000 per year [say £125 per week], so there continues to be a need to be vigilant on finances.

We continue to have a 'financial cushion' from the benefits of the donation from the Estate of Bobbie Hacker [October 2003], but that remains a one-off. The reality is that this year expenditure exceeded income.

May I thank Chris Walden for his continued support with an audit and preparation of the Accounts.

Vi Davies - Treasurer

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Chairman's Report

2004/2005 has been a year of development for the Manor Hall and I feel it's been a good year overall.

Committee meetings have been held regularly each month. Attendance has been fair, quality of discussion good. Recording of discussion in the Minutes has been very good, so that anyone in the future can look back and easily get a picture on the background of a topic and the outcome.

Development of job descriptions for our Caretaker and Cleaners has had positive benefits with clarity now on our needs.

We quickly went up the learning curve to organise and get the important testing of electrics, extinguishers, fire alarms, etc., carried out to renew our Public Entertainment Licence and are now doing the same all over again! This will see us through to November 2005 when it is 'all change' and new Licensing Laws come in to play . . . understanding them and looking for routes to achieve simple, not too onerous solutions is challenging and we are not there yet! I have been comparing notes with The Men's' Institute to see if there are any common solutions for us.

News in just today advises that in the future events like the BBC Show will be needing Door Supervisors trained and registered with the Security Industry Authority [certificated bouncers?!] by 23rd August!

After a period of fact-finding on other local hall rental charges, last autumn we developed a new scale and tariff designed to help us offset our ever-rising costs. Implementation of the new charges was deferred until last month.

Fundraising events developed well. The Berry Revels was a pleasing result. The Christmas Card exercise and Coffee Morning was an all-time record and our two attempts at Table Top Sales have been encouraging but not runaway successes. There's scope to develop further and to look at new activities to fit in with otherwise vacant slots in the Hall diary. As an example, a junior badminton group has been formed and now meets on Sundays for a twilight session. No ideas have come forward from requests made in the Newsletter . . . disappointing, but that can also be interpreted that everyone is happy!

We've developed a system that all maintenance and repair works will follow a full written specification of what's needed and that quotes must follow that brief. This is being implemented for the plan to refurbish the gents' loo [long overdue many might say!] and redesign the door system to the under stage storage. The refurbishment of the other toilets and creation of a facility for the disabled means that your Hall now complies with 2004 legislation. Recarpeting has made improvements and thanks are due to Sure Start for important financial input.

I think that every Agenda over the last twelve months has featured the dreaded subject of under floor heating and reflooring. Objective advice on options and comparative running costs remains difficult to source and just one contractor from outside the area has come forward with a quote. Help and advice on which of the other 440 village halls in Devon have addressed similar issues has not been forthcoming from Community Council of Devon. We will pursue further because we really must follow the successes of others and avoid expensive pitfalls.

Looking Forward

There is little doubt that the Manor Hall will continue as a key focal point for social activities in this community. Ensuring it meets today's and tomorrow's needs does require fresh ideas and good communication. I hope there is a confidence in the Committee being there not only to manage the immediate affairs but also become even more forward thinking.

Presently we are financially stable and Vi has demonstrated this. However, it's my forecast that expenditure is likely to out-strip income for a second year running with the next refurbishment project already planned. Grant support may or may not be forthcoming to help. If that project is self funded, then our Bobbie Hacker legacy may be eroded further. A heating/flooring project, even with major grant support, could see those monies being totally used up and the village would see a Hall living 'hand-to-mouth' again financially.

There is little buffer to cover any MAJOR project - like a new roof or whatever was on the agenda some years back and never got actioned. The need, I feel, is to look forward and get inventive. Fundraising exercises to bring in an extra £4,000 a year for each of the next five years could be a goal [£5 per resident per year/10p per week]. Can the village rise to that challenge - I believe YES. It has already done it in the context of the Community Shop, and now the Community Hall?

In closing I should like to thank the Committee for their help and support over the past twelve months, and the villagers for their support of Manor Hall activities.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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Thank you Vi and Colin for your reports which give us a very clear picture of Manor Hall matters.

Since the AGM, however, we have learnt that due to their impending move, Colin and Annie have resigned from the Committee, although they will continue to give advice and support until their departure. Thanks must, therefore, be given to them both but particularly Colin for his excellent Chairmanship.

Please note that THE BERRY REVELS will be held this year on Tuesday, 26th July. Look out for posters giving details nearer the time.

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

Regular users of the Hall will have noticed the recent completion of the refurbishment of the loos off the Bassett Room, and the building of an extra cubicle with facilities for the disabled and a baby changing unit, all of which brings us up-to-date with various legislations. We hope to re-carpet the Bassett Room to complete the project and have just been awarded a grant via Sure Start to help with the costs.

The next project will see the gents' loo in the passageway get a make-over to bring it into the 21st Century!

A further Table Top Sale has been planned for the morning of Sunday, 10th April, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., to build on the encouraging start we got with the experimental first shot back in February. Posters are already out announcing the event and tables can be booked through Vi Davies on 882696.

As the Financial Year draws to a close, it's time to remind User Groups, and indeed any interested party in the village, that our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING is just around the corner, Wednesday, 4th May, and posters will confirm this. Please put the date in your diary NOW!

Over the next couple of months, planning will start for this July's BERRY REVELS fund raising evening for the Manor Hall funds. If you have some new fresh ideas for side shows, etc., then it's never too early to make them known.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

The first thing I must do is to say 'Thank You' to everyone for their participation in the Christmas Coffee Morning on the 18th December, and the Christmas Card Distribution facility. Thanks, too, to the Community Enterprise and Ross for letting us place the collection box in the Shop.

We sorted and delivered in excess of 1,000 cards and more than fifty villagers enjoyed a social chat, coffee, mince pies [and in some cases a sherry!] and a truly excellent raffle table. We raised a total of £213 - a record and therefore very pleasing. But the day was doubly pleasing as friends from Berrynarbor Park came with an extra cheque for a handsome £95, generated through the sale of Christmas trees.

Work will be starting shortly to install an extra toilet facility that will be 'disabled friendly' and we have plans to refurbish the gents' loo - perhaps long overdue!

We seem to be suffering an increasing level of damage around the Hall site and premises, allegedly caused by individuals in the village. We need the help of everyone to alert a member of the Committee if anything untoward is spotted. The climbing on roofs and up drainpipes is not only a cause of damage but is also extremely dangerous. Please note: football and other ball games ARE NOT ALLOWED in the Manor Hall Car Park and Play Areas. Persistent offenders will be named and required to pay for further damage. The names of Committee Members are given on the Notice Board in the Main Hall.

You will have seen from the posters that we are set to trial a new fund raising activity - a Table Top Sale, akin to an indoor boot sale. It will be held on next Sunday, 6th February from 10.00 a.m. to approximately 12.30 p.m. We feel we need ten tables to make the event viable and if you have not already booked yours, this can be done through Vi Davies on 882696 at a cost of £5.00. We hope to raise a few extra £'s through teas 'n' coffees, etc.

So, sort out your craft items, bric-a-brac, unwanted Christmas gifts and come along - or just come along to browse and buy! See you on Sunday.

If the event proves successful, then it may be something to repeat perhaps on alternate months. Any other new ideas to increase the usage of the Hall can be passed on to any of the Committee - we're open to suggestions! All for the moment.

Colin Trinder

Chairman - Manor Hall Management Committee

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MANOR HALL MATTERS

It's good to see the Hall premises enjoying increased usage in recent times as the autumn evenings closed in and regular daytime and evening activities started up again after the summer recess.

The Manor Hall Management Committee [MHMC] continues to meet regularly and has been addressing a number of administrative matters of late. 2005 sees the introduction of new Licensing Laws, so the implications for us are being unravelled. Also, Rate Reviews for non-domestic properties are now published and they, too, need our attention. The Constitution documents for the MHMC date back to 1947! They are being studied with a view to drafting an update in line with today's needs. Hall Rental Charges have been updated for 2005 and we've also put job descriptions in place!

But administration matters aside, the key is having a Hall facility that meets the ever-changing times and needs of the village community. There remain vacant slots in the diary for anyone seeking to start up new activities or groups and, at the time of writing, it seems likely that the ever-popular Youth Club will restart.

So, any ideas out there on how best to further develop and optimise Hall usage? One recent suggestion has been to trial a Table Top sale [like an indoor 'boot fair'], where we provide the venue - and the usual cuppa and fancy cake - and offer tables at say £5 for individual stall holders to flaunt their wares. Perhaps it's something to try once a month across January, February and March to gauge popularity. What do you think?

If that's an idea for development then, by contrast, a definitive event is our Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday, 18th December. Put it in your diary. For more details about it and the Christmas Card delivery, see the posters and separate article later in this issue.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Time flies when you're having fun!! It only seems like yesterday I was penning words for the Berry Newsletter and reminding folk of the 17th August date for the Berry Revels fund raiser for the Hall.

The weather could have been a little kinder, but the overall result was a tremendous success and a good time was had by all. Through the columns of the Newsletter, I'd like to express the thanks of the Committee to the many of you who contributed to that success.

To members of various 'Hall User Groups', who helped with the setting up and running of the many stalls; to friends who donated prizes for the raffle, or who baked cakes or sent along their home-made jams; to those who busied themselves with the popcorn machine or cooked hot dogs over the BBQ, or entertained us with their spinning or danced their socks [Petticoats] off . . . to you all we offer our sincere thanks.

Thanks also go to everyone who came along to support the event and spend a £ or £££'s! The end result was some £1,250 going to Hall funds to help with the on-going running costs and future improvement plans, and all raised at a great pace over two-and-a-half hours!

Looking ahead, I hope it's not too early to give you a Manor Hall date for your Christmas Diary: Saturday, 18th December for Coffee and Mince Pies and the popular village Christmas Card delivery.

Colin Trinder - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Since the AGM on 4th May, various changes in membership of the Committee have come into play.

Vi Davies assumes the role of Treasurer with added responsibility to manage the diary and bookings. Jane Vanstone has become Secretary, and 'yours truly' elected Chairman to the Committee. There are new members to the Committee, Sue Sussex and Annie Trinder.

The usage of our Hall continues to grow and new, extra events and classes will be a feature of the diary as we move towards the autumn.

More immediately we look forward to the Berry Revels Fete, rescheduled to TUESDAY 17TH AUGUST to avoid a clash with events in the Combe Martin Carnival Week. This is the most significant event of the year to raise funds for the Hall and we'll be looking to your support to attend and contribute to a successful evening, at the same time hoping for the best of summer weather!

Progressively, the Committee will be addressing some key agenda items in the coming weeks, including:

• Session Charges for hire of the Main Hall and Penn Curzon Room to be reviewed.
• List of items for the Maintenance Programme are to be drawn up and prioritised in terms of needs for funds and any urgencies attaching.
• A 3-year Business Plan will be considered as the vehicle to help us avail ourselves of the various Grants that may be available.

The Manor Hall is a superb asset to Berrynarbor and a focal point for the Village that may take on an even greater significance in the months ahead. Keeping abreast with the needs of Hall users and a keen eye for the future is what your Committee is about. To help get it right, your input of constructive ideas and comments are important. If you have items to put forward then please feel free to do so to me or to any members of the Committee.

Colin Tinder Chairman

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THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, 5th May 2004

Chairman's Report:

Our Hall continues to be very well supported. The premises are pretty well booked for each available session. During the past year, it has been redecorated, the curtains cleaned and the windows in the Parish Room repaired, the latter at no cost to the Committee.

The painting of Watermouth Castle has been repaired, restored, cleaned and returned to its original position. The painting of Mrs. Penn Curzon should be returned soon after undergoing similar treatment. Work has been carried out to improve the kitchen area and thanks are due to Sure Start for their contribution towards the cost.

Last year's Horticultural and Craft Show was disappointing in the number of entrants and it was doubted whether there was sufficient support within the village for another show. However, a small group has been set up and the situation is more hopeful.

Undoubtedly, the most significant item to report is the receipt of a large financial gift from the late Bobbie Hacker. Currently enquiries are being made to seek grants for improvement which will make her gift even more beneficial.

The Committee has worked hard throughout the year, for not only a successful Berry Revels and Christmas Card Distribution, but also with the general running of the Hall and my thanks go to every one of them.

That brings me to the final point. For various reasons the following are leaving the Committee: Linda Brown and Chris Jesson. They will be greatly missed. l, too, am standing down. After seven years on the Committee, four as Chairman, it is time for someone else to take forward the development of the Manor Hall. Thank you.

John Hood - Chairman

The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank John for all his hard work over the last seven years. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 9th June at 7.30 p.m. in the Manor Hall, when a new Chairman and Committee will be elected.

Please remember that all Hall bookings should be made through Vi Davies on 882696.

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Annual General Meeting of the Manor Hall Management Committee will be held in the Hall at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 5th May, 2004.

This is an open meeting to which everyone is invited to attend. Please come along and have your say about how you think your Hall should be run in the future. You can also point out things which may be could have been done better in the past.

There is now an urgent need for new blood to join the Committee. Several of the present members are leaving, or have left the village or moved on to other things. There is now a chance for you to make a difference.

The clock in the Manor Hatl has stopped, broken, possibly never to go again! But, before we consider replacing it, does anyone know its story? I should not wish to throw away something which had a special place in the history of this village.

John Hood - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Christmas Card Coffee Morning on 20th December was very well attended and as a result, we made over £150. About a thousand cards were put through the system, so many thanks to everyone who supported the initiative and particular thanks are due to those who helped with the sorting and distribution of the cards. [A reminder will be given next December, but to help them, the sorters have asked that full names and addresses are put on the envelopes.]

It is quite a few years now since Alan Richardson first floated the idea of the village Christmas post. I wonder if he visualised just how successful it would become!

The painting of Watermouth Castle has now been re-hung following repair and restoration work by Nigel Mason. It now looks spectacular. Thank you, Nigel. The picture of Mrs. Penn-Curzon should also be returned soon after her 'wash and brush-up'. Initially the repair and restoration of both pictures was intended to celebrate the new Millennium and it was hoped that a grant, or other funding, might have helped towards the cost, but that was not to be. These two projects have taken longer than hoped to come to completion, but they should enhance the appearance of our hall.

The return of Vi Davies to the Management Committee is very welcome, particularly as she has agreed to look after the bookings and keep the diary up to date. For any future requests to hire the hall, please contact Vi.

So far as the Horticultural and Craft Show is concerned, there have been one or two offers to join a committee and to help on the day, but more help is still required and is there someone willing to co-ordinate and do the organising necessary beforehand? This Show is not something that can be organised at the last minute and it would be a shame if we did not have one this year. Please think about it and then get in touch [883105] or come along to the next Management Meeting to be held on Monday, 2nd February at 7.00 p.m.

John Hood - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

On Saturday, 20th December, from 10.30 a.m. until noon, the Christmas Card Coffee Morning will be held in the Manor Hall. Sherry and mince pies will be on offer and also some Christmassy things will be on sale. If anyone would like a table, please let me or any Committee Member know in advance.

Your cards for distribution within the Village may be left, with a donation [10p per card please] in the box in the village shop. This facility will be available from 13th to 20th December, or you can bring your cards along to the coffee morning, when they will be sorted and then distributed. All money raised will go towards the Manor Hall funds.

Our Hall is very well used - there is hardly a time, either morning, afternoon or evening, every day of the week, when there isn't something going on. This is causing a parking problem. There is only limited space in front of the hall so, unless you are, there and then, attending a class or function in the Manor Hall, please leave your car somewhere else.

Our Committee is small in number and is likely to become even smaller soon. If anyone is willing to assist in the management of the Manor Hall, please do come forward. It is not all time-consuming, but is an essential to village life.

John Hood - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

This summer has been quite a busy time in the Manor Hall. There have been the three fetes, a great singalong with the Harmonica Singers, an evening of melodrama from the Studio Theatre and, with the onset of autumn, the Horticultural and Craft Show.

On top of these events, the kitchen has been refurbished, the hall painted and the Penn Curzon picture sent off for repair and cleaning.

The number of entries for the Horticultural and Craft Show was disappointingly down from previous years and yet the large number of villagers who came along in the afternoon to view the exhibits, have a cuppa and a chat, indicates that there is still a great deal of support for the event.

Is it just that we don't like competing? Can we alter the Schedule? Can we improve the format in any way?

So far there have been 24 annual shows. If an answer is not found, then the quarter century event may well be the last! Even though the number of exhibitors was down, the Judges did comment on the high standard of the items presented.

Awards for the year were as follows, and they were presented by one of our greatest supporters, Ron Toms:

The Management Committee Cup for the best Horticultural Exhibit in the Show was a choice between a plate of onions and a bottle of wine. As Ken Gosham had entered both items, he received the Cup. The Ray Ludlow Award for the best non-horticultural exhibit went to Malcolm Davidson for a superbly crafted wooden bowl.

Congratulations to you all.

John Hood

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A reminder that the Berrynarbor Horticultural and Craft Show will be held on Saturday, 6th September. Schedules and entry forms will be available from the Post Office, Glenbridge and Devon Cottage from mid-August.

Anyone can enter and there is no fee, so the more classes you enter, the better your chances are.

When the Hall is full of exhibits, it makes a splendid sight, so please show us the best you have got! Weather is no excuse for flowers and vegetables - we all suffer the same. And for the art and craft classes, there is still time!

This year is a departure from previous years and entries will be accepted into certain classes from individual children and judged according to age.

Finally, to those who won cups and awards last year, please let me have them back before the Show, even if you do think that you might win again!

John Hood

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Our AGM was held on 2nd April. The present Committee agreed to continue and we also welcomed aboard Jane Vanstone and Colin Trinder as Book Keeper.

Plans are now in hand to upgrade the kitchen area and decorate the inside of the main hall. Cash from Sure Start and a generous contribution from the BBC are making these improvements possible.

We are also making arrangements to have the painting of Watermouth Castle restored and re-framed, and the painting of Mrs. Edith Penn Curzon cleaned. Both should look good.

If anyone has taken tea towels or table cloths from the Manor Hall home for laundering, please can you return them as we are getting very short in that department!

Summer is upon us and this will be the last Newsletter before the Berry Revels - Tuesday, 29th July. Please publicise the event and come along to enjoy the fun and games provided. And, when it gets dark, there will be dancing to music by the Parcel of Rogues.

For the information of photographers, subjects for this year's Horticultural and Craft Show, on 6th September, are: A Local View, Cottages and Castles, Animal Magic and Sport for All.

Plenty of time! Oh no, there isn't, and gardeners should have sown their seeds by now.

John Hood - Chairman

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THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Annual General Meeting of the Committee will be held in the Manor Hall on Wednesday, 2nd April 2003 at 7.30 p.m. Everyone is welcome and we should appreciate any comments, ideas and even criticisms of a helpful nature. What would be really nice would be the attendance of people, or even just someone, willing to join our Committee.

Apart from the general management of the Hall, the Committee organises the Berry Revels [29th July], the Horticultural and Craft Show [6th September] and the Christmas Card Delivery. These are the sources of income which make it possible to charge such low rentals for regular users of the Hall. Any help with these events and any other ideas for raising cash would be most welcome.

If any of the above seems familiar, it is because it is an exact copy from the Berrynarbor Newsletter of April 2001. The invitation is still open.

Please come to the AGM and/or join our Committee.

John Hood - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Christmas Card, Sherry & Coffee Morning was again well attended. It is really nice to see so many people coming together for a mince pie and a chat and then helping with the distribution of the cards afterwards.

Although I lost count past 800, I think we must have handled about a thousand cards all told and the Hall funds have been swollen by about £150. Many thanks to you all for your support.

Here are a few dates to enter on those brand-new calendars:

• Wednesday 2nd April - Annual General Meeting, Manor Hall, 7.30 p.m.
• Saturday 19th July - A Musical Evening, 'Songs from Films' by the South Molton Singers
• Tuesday 29th July - Berry Revels
• Saturday 6th September - Horticultural and Craft Show

John Hood

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Christmas Card Coffee Morning will be held again this year in the Manor Hall, from 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon on Saturday, 21st December. Sherry and mince pies will be provided, as well as the usual tea and coffee, and there will also be suitable Christmassy items being offered for sale. If anyone would like to rent a table, then please let me or a member of the Management Committee know. There might even be a raffle and music!

The Management Committee will organise the distribution of your cards within the village, for a donation of 10p per card, all monies to the Village Hall Fund. There will be a box for your cards in the village shop from Saturday, 14th December, or bring them along on the 21st.

What a lovely way to start off the holiday. I hope to see you there, but if not, on behalf of the Management Committee may I wish you a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

John Hood - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Before autumn really sets in, let me report on the two events which were presented in the name of the Management Committee.

First was the Berry Revels in the middle of August. We were blessed with excellent weather and a good crowd of friends and visitors turned up to enjoy the fun and games laid on outside the Manor Hall, all to the sound of the Watermouth Castle organ. Then, as darkness fell, we all went inside to continue the revels with barn dancing.

This is the second year running that the evening has continued after dark with dancing and the formula seems to work. For the first time ever, we made over a thousand pounds!

The Horticultural and Craft Show was held at the beginning of September, on the 7th. Sadly, too late for some flowers and vegetables, but too early for others. Yet, congratulations to all the gardeners who rose to the challenge. The standard set by the exhibitors was very high indeed.

The number of entrants was slightly down in some sections but it was pleasing to see that it was up in others and particularly pleasing was the increase in the Wine section.

The judges take their role very seriously indeed, and whilst we may not always agree with their decisions, it is good to see so many of you taking an interest. And interest there was in plenty. The number of people who looked in during the afternoon was really gratifying.

The Management Committee Cup for Best Horticultural Exhibit in the Show went to Ken Gosham for what the judge described as 'the best almond wine you could make'. The Ray Ludlow Award for Best Non-Horticultural Exhibit went to Sally Barten for her magnificent Millennium Tapestry. Well done to all winners.

While the people who helped with these two events are too numerous to mention by name, particular thanks must go to Debbie Luckham and Ann Davies for organising the Revels, and to Linda Brown and Margaret Ludlow who prepared and presented the Horticultural Show. But mainly thank you to all who supported, attended and, hopefully, enjoyed the events. Now we can do it all again next year!

John Hood - Chairman

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Grateful thanks to Judie Weedon for printing the schedules, Margaret Ludlow for helping with the competitors' entries, Debbie Luckham and Marion Hood for the refreshments, John Hood for clearing the decks, Ann and Peter Hinchliffe for stoically selling raffle tickets all afternoon and Tom Bartlett for acting as auctioneer. Thank you, too, to the competitors who were brave enough to enter the Show, and of course everyone who attended in the afternoon. Especial thanks to my husband who didn't have a decent meal for 3 days!

Linda Brown

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

6.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 13^th August, is the opening time for the Berry Revels. There will be plenty of games and stalls set up for all to try their luck, test their skills and have fun.

As it gets dark, the band, M'larkey, will start playing for a Village Dance which will continue in the hall until 11.00 p.m.

There is a small admission charge of 50p [children free] but as this is the main occasion on which we can raise money to keep the Hall up to scratch, please, please come along and spend your cash and encourage as many visitors along as well.

The plans are in order for the Horticultural and Craft Show on Saturday, 7th September. All we need now is a bumper crop of entries and a good attendance to see whether the judges got it right!

John Hood

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Following last month's AGM, our Committee now comprises:

There is always room for anyone else to join and we shall definitely need help for the Berry Revels on Tuesday, 13th August. This will be our main fundraiser, which will then be followed by the Horticultural and Craft Show to be held on the 7th September.

So that you will have all summer to prepare, here are the six subjects for the Photography Section -

• Sunrise/ Sunset
• A Local Character
• A Portrait
• Action-Action!
• Woodlands
• A Local View.

It has been decided to give the Homemade Wine another chance. As well as the classes for Red & White, Sweet & Dry, there will be a class for 'Any Other Alcoholic Drink'. The size of bottle is optional, but contents must be named.

John Hood - Chairman

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* Please note that although Tom Tucker's name has been mentioned in the Newsletter as being involved with the finances of the Manor Hall Management Committee, this is no longer the case and queries regarding invoices and payments, etc., should be addressed to Debbie Luckham. Tom was, in the past, Treasurer to the Committee and we thank him for his past services.

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THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Annual General Meeting of the Management Committee will be held in the Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 3rd April 2002. This is, of course, an open meeting and I invite as many of you as can to attend. I particularly ask, please, that each of the groups who use the Hall should be represented.

The Hall is now being used by more and more people and at different times. This sometimes leads to problems with the car parking. May I remind everyone that the area in front of the Manor Hall is for the use of those who are attending classes and functions in the Hall. Other vehicles should, please, be parked preferably in the public car park up Castle Hill.

John Hood - Chairman

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THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Christmas Coffee Morning on the 22nd December was well attended and the Card Distribution well supported. I lost count when we passed the 1,000 mark, so the help of those who undertook the deliveries, was very much appreciated! Many thanks to all who turned up and who helped. It was a great start to Christmas.

Although we announced in the summer that Tom Tucker was joining the Committee in order to undertake the bookkeeping work for us, he will not be taking over until April. This is the start of the new financial year, by which time we shall be fully computerised.

Debbie Luckham is continuing as Diary Secretary, so all bookings and enquiries re. the availability of facilities should be directed to her.

John Hood - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Village Get Together on the 14th November would seem to have been a success. There were certainly plenty of villagers in attendance, the noise level as they chatted away was quite something, and the many and varied displays around the hall were much appreciated.

Many thanks are due to those people who set up their interesting exhibits and to all those who helped. Indeed, thank you to all of you who turned up I hope you enjoyed the occasion.

More 'thank you's' - thank you to everyone who has supported the various functions and groups who have used the Manor Hall during the past year. May you continue to do so.

Sadly, during the summer between the Berry Revels and the Church Fete, two bags containing the balls, pins and wedges for use with the skittle alley went missing from inside the Manor Hall. They are not likely to turn up again now and will have to be replaced. If anyone knows where we might acquire suitable replacements - condition not all that important - please let me know.

Christmas Cards for distribution within the Parish may again be left at the village shop from Friday, 14th December. Please include at least 10p per card donation for charity.

The collection will conclude with a sherry, mince pies and coffee morning in the Manor Hall at 10.00 a.m. on Saturday, 22nd December, when the cards will be distributed. If anyone has suitable Christmas items for sale, then tabletops can be 'hired' at £5.00 a time.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

John Hood - Chairman

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MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Horticultural and Craft Show would appear to have been enjoyed by all. The weather was fine and sunny, the numbers of contributors was up and the standard as high as ever. The large number of visitors during the afternoon were very appreciative.

So, congratulations to Linda Brown and Margaret Ludlow for their organisation, and to the competitors and many helpers who made it such a success. We shall have to do the same again next year.

The presentation of silverware was graciously made by Vi Kingdon and was as follows:

On the evening of Wednesday, 14th November, we shall be holding another 'Village Get Together' in the Manor Hall. Nothing fancy, but a good opportunity for 'newcomers' to the village and the 'not so newcomers' to meet together, put faces to names and, perhaps, be surprised by the groups and facilities which are available to you in our village. See you there.

John Hood

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TIIE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Committee would like to thank the South Molton Singers, now known as 'Harmonica', for their wonderful rendition of 'Give our Regards to Broadway' which was generously performed in aid of the Manor Hall and Cancer Care. A most enjoyable evening was had by all. Thank you to the villagers who attended the event and all those who helped on the night. We look forward to Harmonica's next production.

This year, as a change from the usual Revels Fete, we are holding a Barn Dance. We shall still be having a BBQ and full bar [not just cider!] and there will be a bouncy castle for the children, skittles and a few other stalls. The fun starts at 6.30 p.m. as usual, and Hot Punch with Fred Ward will be providing the music.

We really need your support this year. The Manor Hall is a wonderful facility for the village and we have a wide variety of activities going on throughout the year. But the rents just cover the running costs, it is fundraising that pays for large maintenance jobs and improvements to the Hall. So, come and join us on Tuesday, 31st July - support the Hall and help make it a GREAT Evening!

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Edition 72, June 2001


THE MANOR HALL
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

There was a good attendance at the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, 2nd May. The Committee is enlarged and includes representatives from each of the main users of the Hall. In particular, we welcome Alice Wilson and Julia Fairchild, who will be the main contacts for the Sure Start scheme, which it is hoped will bring improvements to the hall for the benefit of the under 4's.

Our attentions are now turning to preparations for the Berry Revels on TUESDAY, 31ST JULY, when we are hoping for better weather than last year!

Items for inclusion in the schedule for the Horticultural and Craft Show, on SATURDAY, 1ST SEPTEMBER, have now been selected, with some changes from previous years. Wine has again been included, but unless the number of entries increases, it could well be for the last time! Schedules will be available late July. This year there will be two separate awards for 'Best in Show' - one for a horticultural exhibit, and the other for a craft exhibit. Hopefully, this should make it easier for the judges and may encourage more entries on the fruit and vegetable tables.

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 71, April 2001


THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Annual General Meeting of the Committee will be held in the Manor Hall on Wednesday, 2nd May 2001, at 7.30 p.m. Everyone is welcome and we should appreciate any comments, ideas and even criticisms of a helpful nature.

What would really be nice would be the attendance of people, or even just someone, willing to join our Committee!

Apart from the general management of the Hall, the Committee organises the Berry Revels, the Horticultural and Craft Show and the Christmas Card Delivery. These are the sources of income which make it possible to charge such low rentals for regular users of the Hall. Any help with these events and any other ideas for raising cash would be most welcome.

Early notification of this year's dates of events are: Berry Revels - Tuesday 31st July; Horticultural & Craft Show, Saturday 1st September.

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 70, February 2001


THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Charity Christmas Card delivery developed a little further this year. We increased the number of cards handled, but don't ask me by how many - I lost count!

The village Get-Together in the Manor Hall was very well attended. The sherry and mince pies went down a treat, and the performance by the Primary School Choir, assisted by Gerry Marangone, added a new dimension, as did the appearance of several table top sales.

Thank you to everyone who attended, used the service and helped to deliver the cards. The sum raised was £250.00.

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 69, December 2000


BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE



The Charity Christmas Card delivery service within the Parish will again take place this year. A box will be available for your cards at the Village Shop from Friday, 8th December. Just drop your cards in, with a donation please [10p per card].

This year we are holding a Village Christmas Get-Together in the Manor Hall on SATURDAY, 16th DECEMBER, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Please come along.

You can bring your cards and enjoy not only mince pies, sherry, coffee, etc., but listen to the School Christmas Choir and other live music. There will also be a Table Top sale for your last minute gift requirements.

The cards will be sorted and distributed after the 16th and we hope that most of them will be in by that date. However, the box will remain open until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 20th December. On behalf of the Management Committee, we wish you all a Happy Christmas.

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 68, October 2000


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

I don't know what Sue and Simon will be reporting on the weather for this past summer, but it certainly was of no help to the Management Committee!

The Berry Revels was a doubtful starter - all day, while preparations were being made, it rained or shone at regular intervals. We decided to go ahead and although numbers attending were down, those who did come along appeared to enjoy themselves. It was particularly uncomfortable for those who tended attractions staged out of doors, so while I thank everyone who helped at the event, there is special appreciation for those who toiled outside.

The weather also conspired against us for the Horticultural and Craft Show. There were heavy rain showers on the days preceding the Show, so of course the flowers suffered, as did the fruit and vegetables.

The number of entries was only slightly less than last year and the judges were very complimentary about those who did compete.

The Show next year will be again on the first Saturday in September. Let's hope for better weather, but remember - it's the same for everyone!

My thanks to Linda Brown, Secretary of the Horticultural and Craft Show, for her organisation and who, this year, also presented the awards. They went as follows:




Award	Category	Winner
The Globe Cup	Floral Art	Wendy Burchell
The Walls Cup	Home Cooking	Vi Kingdon
The Davis Cup	Handicrafts	Angela Richards
The Watermouth Cup	Handicrafts	John Weaver
The Watermouth Castle Cup	Wine	Ken Gosham
The George Hippisley Cup	Art	Mary Hughes
The Vi Kingdon Award	Photography	Colin Harding
The Derrick Kingdon Cup	Fruit and Vegetables	Iain McCrae
The Lethaby Cup	Potted Plants	Baddick Family
The Manor Stores Rose Bowl	Cut Flowers	Sylvia Baker
Management Committee Cup	Best in Show	Angela Richards




John Hood - Chairman

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May I thank the following people who kindly helped me before and after the Horticultural Show 2000 - Judie who printed schedules, posters, etc., Alan and Nora for accepting entries, John and Marion Hood who helped with the hall lay-out, Margaret Ludlow who stoically spent four hours writing exhibitors' cards, Sylvia Baker who made a great hostess for our visiting judges, Ann Hinchliffe for running the raffle and Debbie Luckham for dealing with the refreshments in the afternoon after a busy morning. Everyone's efforts were very much appreciated.

Linda Brown

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Nature Quiz



It was interesting to see who was prepared to have a go at the Quiz held at the Church Fayre and Berry Revels! The winner was Gill Jones from Pershore [late of Combe Martin] who was staying down here on holiday with her family, with a total of 13 points. The runners up were Ann Davies with 12 points and Tony Summers with 10. Sam and Anna Bowden [with a little help from granny!] were the U12 winners.

Of the hedgerow flowers - greater stitchwort, honesty, cow parsley and campion - most people recognised cow parsley. Likewise the red admiral and peacock butterflies, with the swallowtail less known and the painted lady named by only two.

'Big foot, middle foot and little foot' was a good try at the footprints! Nearly everyone identified the deer, but the badger, fox and hedgehog proved harder. The redstart got mistaken for a robin and the skylark outwitted all but three people. Everyone named the thrush and the wagtail, but only one person [but not the same person] knew that it was a mistle thrush and a grey wagtail.

The chanterelle fungus [available from all supermarkets!] proved elusive, but the majority caught the pike. Oarweed [or tangle] went completely unrecognised and the oyster collected just three pearls! Thank you all for taking part.

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Edition 65, April 2000


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Sorting through old papers in the Manor Hall, I came across a letter from a lady in Ilfracombe, dated 10th September 1978. She wrote:

"Just a line to say how thrilled we were by our surprise successes at the Horticultural Show yesterday. It was just by chance that we collected our entry forms and schedule and had such a lot of fun on Friday evening and Saturday morning preparing all the fuchsias and deciding which ones to pick and enter. As we've never ever entered a show before, we weren't too sure just what to bring".

"I was quite overcome to find that I had won the best exhibit in the Show with my embroidery - worth all the eye-straining hours of work that went into it to win such an award."

1978 was the first Horticultural and Craft Show to be held in Berrynarbor. This year, success could be yours. So, schedule your planting to be at its best for the first Saturday in September!

After at least a dozen years, Eunice and Bernard Allen have decided enough is enough and will not be running the plant stall at the Berry Revels this August. If I go on too much about all the hard work and planning required in running a successful plant stall, we'll never get anyone else to take it on! I will just say thank you both very much indeed for your efforts.

Please, is there anyone out there who would like to run the plant stall? We should also like you gardeners to plant up a few extra pots for sale on the stall. With a good supply of plants, the selling should be the easy part.

On behalf of the Management Committee and the village as a whole, a big thank you to Sally Barten for her beautifully worked Millennium Tapestry which is to be hung in the Hall beneath the clock.

Finally, the Annual General Meeting this year will be held in the Manor Hall at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 3rd May 2000. All are invited to attend.

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 64, February 2000


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Charity Christmas Card delivery took place after a very well attended Coffee Morning on the Saturday before Christmas. Thank you to everyone who used the service and/or helped deliver cards. The sum of £120 was raised.

I should like to congratulate the Millennium Committee and their helpers on the decoration of the Hall for the New Year festivities. It looked absolutely fabulous.

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 63, December 1999


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Charity Christmas Card Collection

The Charity Christmas Card delivery service within the village will again take place this year. A box will be available in the Village Shop from Friday, 10th December. Just drop your cards in, with a donation [at least 10p per card please] or bring them with you to the Manor Hall on SATURDAY, 18th DECEMBER, when, from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon we shall be holding a Coffee Morning, with sherry and mince pies, after which the cards will be distributed.

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 62, October 1999


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

In July we had the Sing-a-long Review presented by Monica Ley and her Studio Music Singers - an excellent production thoroughly enjoyed by an audience of well over 100.

In August we had the Berry Revels. The weather was fine and again we had a good attendance of both locals and visitors.

Then came September and the Horticultural and Craft Show. Another fine day and visitors were able to enjoy their cups of tea sitting outside. Exhibits numbered about the same as last year and made a spectacular display in the Manor Hall. The judges, each commending the high standards, awarded the cups for each Section as follows:

• The Globe Cup - Floral Art - Judie Weedon
• The Walls Cup - Home Cooking - Mrs. Judges
• The Davis Cup - Handicrafts - Linzi Lawrence
• The Watermouth Cup - Handicrafts - John Weaver
• The Watermouth Castle Cup - Wine - Bernard Allen
• The George Hippisley Cup - Art - Mary Hughes
• The Vi Kingdon Award - Photography - Mary Hughes
• The Derrick Kingdon Cup - Fruit & Vegetables- Iain McCrae
• The Lethaby Cup - Potted Plants - Jill McCrae
• The Manor Stores Rose Bowl - Cut Flowers- Julia Fairchild
• The P.T.A. Cup - Class 3- Wendy Barter
• The Mayflower Dish - Class 1- Amy Charalambous
• Management Committee Cup - Best in Show- Linzi Lawrence



The judges deliberated long and hard over the award for Best in Show - it was a very close three-way split between the wine of Bernard Allen and the raspberries of Iain McCrae, but the decision finally went to Linzi Lawrence for her beautiful 'Lady in Red'.

So another summer over! My thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put these events together and to everyone who involved themselves with and attended them. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves, then we can do it again next year!

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 61, August 1999


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Berry Revels will again be taking place, both inside and outside the Manor Hall on TUESDAY, 3rd AUGUST, starting at 6.30 p.m. Let's hope for a fine evening. Any offers of help would be appreciated and the more visitors we can encourage to attend, the better the event will be all round.

In 1978, the first Horticultural and Craft Show was held in Berrynarbor, on the first Saturday in September. Each year gardeners have complained that the weather has been - too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry - and the date of the show is usually - too late, but occasionally too early!

Rise to the challenge, ladies and gentlemen, show us your produce!

Saturday, 4th September, is the target date. Schedules and entry forms will be available from mid-August from the usual places. Please ask at the Post Office for your copy. Let's have another successful Show, whatever the weather.

Remember you 'snappers', knitters, cooks, wine makers, artists and floral artists, you don't even have the weather to contend with, so no excuses for anything but a bumper number of entries in all classes. It is fun anyway!

A reminder to last year's trophy winners, that if you have not already done so, trophies should be returned to me as soon as possible. Thanks!

See you first at the Revels and then at the Show.

John Hood - Chairman

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Edition 60, June 1999


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Following Graham Andrews' decision to retire from the Committee, our thanks were expressed to him at the AGM in April for the efficient and professional manner in which he has guided the Committee, as Chairman, for the past year.

Our much depleted Committee now consists of Alf Gilbertson, Anne Hinchliffe, Denise Lane, Mike Lane, Debbie Luckham, Stuart Neale and myself.

We should be very happy to welcome ideas and help from anyone who would like to join us. Meetings are usually held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.15 p.m.

Because of the 'newness' of the Committee, we should be grateful to hear from anyone from the village interested in any contracts for work at the Hall. Please let one of us know what your speciality is.

It is intended that the Berry Revels will be held on Tuesday, 3rd August and the Horticultural and Craft Show on Saturday, 4th September.

On Saturday, 17th July, the Studio Music Singers will present 'Our Town' - a sing-along review - at the Manor Hall at 7.00 p.m. Tickets £3.00 to include a buffet supper afterwards.

John Hood - Chairman [883105]

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Edition 59, April 1999


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday, 14th April 1999, 7.30 pm Manor Hall

The Manor Hall provides the major focal point for social activity in the village. The Management Committee would be delighted to share its thoughts for the future with as many people as possible and looks forward to welcoming you on the 14th April.

Graham E. Andrews - Chairman

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Edition 58, February 1999


MANOR HALL

Very many thanks are due to those who helped with the Village Post. Lots of people contributed again and special appreciation is due to John and Marion Hood who sorted the bulk before we all enjoyed a coffee morning and then delivered our share of Christmas Cards. Thanks again.

Early notice of our Annual General Meeting which this year will be on Wednesday, 14th April at the Hall. A warm welcome to everyone.

Graham E. Andrews - Chairman

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Edition 57, December 1998


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Committee are delighted to announce that the Village Christmas Card delivery service will be operating again this year.

Alan Rowlands has again kindly agreed to place a box in his shop. Just drop the cards in, together with 1Op per card. The Box will be in the Post Office from Thursday, 3rd December to Saturday, 19th December in the morning. On that morning, you are invited to a Coffee Morning, from 10.00 a.m., when the cards will be sorted and distributed.

Happy Christmas to everyone.

Graham Andrews - Management Committee Chairman

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Edition 56, October 1998


MANOR HALL REPORT

Since the Berrynarbor Newsletter last appeared, the two major events of the Management Committee's year have taken place.

A tremendous thank you is offered to everyone who helped in any way at all to make both the Revels and the Horticultural and Craft Show the success they both were. The weather was kind to both events and the children's playground with bouncy castle, coconut shy and bran tub amongst the attractions, was a wonderful feature.

Hall funds received a substantial boost! The Show produced a more modest, but still welcome, boost as it always does, but the judges were meticulous in their appraisal of all the entries and the Cups were duly awarded:

The Globe Cup	Floral Art	Sue Wright
The Walls cup	Home Cooking	Mrs. Judges
The Davis Cup	Handicrafts	Mr. & Mrs. Parkhouse
The Watermouth Cup	Handicrafts	Stuart Neale
The Watermouth Castle Cup	Home-made Wine	Angela Boyd
The George Hippisley Cup	Art	Nigel Mason
The Vi Kingdon Award	Photography	Joy Morrow
The Derrick Kingdon Cup	Fruit and Vegetables	Betty Brooks
The Lethaby Cup	Potted Plants	Vi Kingdon
The Manor Stores Rose Bowl	Cut Flowers	Win Sanders
Management Committee Cup	Best in Show [Tapestry Peacock]	Mr. & Mrs. Parkhouse




Linda Brown did all the background organisation for the Show and we are very grateful for the instruction and help she gave us. John Hood, the Committee Vice-Chairman, and his wife, Marion, were stalwarts on the day - the amount of work they did was tremendous.

Again my thanks to everyone.

Graham Andrews - Chairman

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Edition 55, August 1998


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SUMMER EVENTS

This year, the new and very small group that are now running the events at our Village Manor Hall are boldly attempting to mount the usual two events.

We really are most grateful to Linda Brown who has agreed to resume her management of the Horticultural and Craft Show. Last year many people made a huge effort before the Show was cancelled due to the Princess of Wales's funeral.

Saturday, 5th September, will be the 1998 date. Entry forms and schedules will be available from the usual places and it would be wonderful if the support of previous years could be there once more.

Our other event will also be familiar - the Berry Revels. All the fun of the fair on a village scale. Tuesday, 18th August the date, not very long to wait now!

At the time of writing we should clearly be grateful if anyone who has helped so generously in the past could offer some of their expertise.

As ever, the great thing is to come and give your support as people do in such numbers. See you there.

Graham E. Andrews - Chairman

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Edition 54, June 1998


BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL
Management Committee

Village Hall AGM

The Management Committee held its AGM on 5th May. Unfortunately, the Chairman, Brian Mountain, was unable to attend but his report summarising the year's activities was read for him.

He noted that the year had been very busy and that a scheme for the renewal and development of the Hall and its facilities with 5/6th of the funding coming from outside sources, including the Millennium Fund, stemmed from the Parish Council. Unfortunately, at a public meeting the village rejected a proposal that 1/3rd of the village contribution be raised by a precept on the Council Tax and the whole scheme had to be abandoned.

The main problems which have not been solved are that more storage space has to be found now that we can offer a stage and facilities for functions.

More importantly, costly repairs will have to be undertaken including renewal and improvement to the lighting, an improved heating system, overcoming the condensation problems and dealing with the possibility that, because of leaks, the main water system may have to be renewed.

He expressed his thanks to the Committee for their dedicated work and his regret that the Horticultural Show had had to be cancelled due to the tragic death of Princess Diana. He announced his intention to stand down from the Committee for business reasons and extended his wishes for success to the new Committee. Finally, he urged us not to forget the Revels and Horticultural Show, on the 18th August and 5th September, respectively.

The Treasurer, Tom Tucker, then gave an up-to-date report on the finances which was followed by the announcement that he, too, was standing down from the Committee, together with Vi Davies and Pat Sayer. Two of the Committee places were filled by Graham Andrews and Denise Lane and the hope was expressed that the Committee would be joined by two users of the Hall 's facilities. New members would be involved in all aspects of village life as they would be asked to help with running the Hall as well as fund raising.

New Officers appointed were:

• Chairman - Graham Andrews,
• Vice-Chairman - John Hood,
• Secretary - Ann Hinchliffe.

In conclusion, the Committee endorsed Brian Mountain's thanks to the retiring members.

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Edition 53, April 1998


BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL
Management Committee

At our meeting in February, the result of the Parish Poll regarding the financing of the proposed improvements project was discussed and a resolution put to the Committee stating that no further action should be taken with regard to the project and that the various grant applications should be withdrawn. This resolution was passed but it was felt that as the Parish Council had originally set the whole thing in motion, they should make the final decision. At the Parish Council the following week, it was decided that the grant applications should be left in place and if the applications are successful, the Parish Council would resolve the question of raising the Village's contribution [£30,000] towards the project.

The question of increasing the Hall rents was also discussed at the meeting but as there are a number of changes coming along which may necessitate a substantial increase in the rents, it was decided that the decision on increases be deferred until after the AGM, by which time the changes should be resolved.

The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING for the Manor Hall will take place in the Hall on Tuesday, 5th May, at 7.30 p.m. All villagers are invited to attend. A number of long-serving Committee Members have indicated their intention of not standing for re-election. Therefore the Committee will be looking for community spirited villagers to take their place to assist with the running of the Hall. Those people who spoke out strongly, both for and against the proposed improvements to the Hall, would be especially welcome.

Tom Tucker

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Edition 52, February 1998


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The week-end before Christmas saw our annual Christmas Card Delivery. More than 930 cards were delivered and this, together with the Sherry and Mince Pie Morning, raised £116 for our funds. Our thanks to Vi Davies for providing the excellent mince pies, to the Committee members who donated the raffle prizes and to everyone who helped to deliver the cards.

Members of the BBC have been hard at work raising the level of the stage so that the entire audience will be able to see their next performance. Our thanks to them, especially as the work has been carried out at no cost to Hall funds.

The Hall seems to have survived the early January storms reasonably well, but unfortunately in December we sprung yet another leak in the water supply pipe to the Hall.

The project to improve Hall facilities was well discussed at an Open Meeting on 30th December. By the time you read this, the result of the Parish Poll called to decide funding of the project will be known. More on this subject next time!

We need a volunteer with 'green fingers' to organise the 1998 Horticultural Show. A number of people have offered to help but we need someone who knows what has to be done to take overall charge. If no-one comes forward, sadly another tradition may bite the dust'. Please telephone Brian Mountain on 883032.

A Timely Reminder for 1998

Will all users of the Hall please remember it is only cleaned once a week, so it is the responsibility of you all to ensure that it is left clean and tidy so that the next 'users' do not have to clean up before they start! Also, when you leave, please check that all heaters and lights are off, the dehumidifier is ON, all fire exits are closed, and don't forget to lock the door on the way out! Thank you.

Stop Press: The result of the Ballot was - For: 104 votes Against: 141 votes

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Edition 50, October 1997


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

On Berry Revels day the rain stopped just as we were starting to set up and started again just as the banners were being taken down on the way home! Takings on the night amounted to £963, which was up on last year. Our thanks go to everyone who turned up to help and to those who donated the various prizes. Once again, special thanks are due to Pat Sayer who organised everything so efficiently and made the evening such a success.

An Open Meeting to discuss the proposed alterations/improvements to the Hall was held on 11th August. A lively discussion took place and on a majority vote it was decided to proceed with the application for Millennium funding. In brief, the changes would entail great improvements to the Penn Curzon Room and Pre-School area, a new storage/backstage area behind the existing stage, new toilet facilities, wheelchair access and toilets for the disabled, new heating/lighting, restoration of the facade of the Penn Curzon building, reroofing the complete building and improvements to the access areas around the doors. The total cost of the project would be around £180,000 and assuming we received the anticipated grants, the village would need to raise £30,000. The Management Committee are actively seeking volunteers to help co-ordinate a project of this magnitude, and if anyone is interested in having a go, please contact Brian Mountain on 883032 or come along to our next meeting on 7th October at 7.15 p.m. Our meetings are always held on the first Tuesday of each month.

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Edition 49, August 1997


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - STOP PRESS

As a result of discussions held with villagers who came to our Open Day on 12th July, the Committee has decided to proceed with the following:

• Structural repairs to roof, gutters, windows, stonework, etc.
• Improved heating system
• Improved lighting system
• Cloakroom facility and extra toilets for the Main Hall
• Improvements to Penn Curzon Room to provide extra facilities for the Pre-School and a well-appointed Meeting Room
• Access for the Handicapped
• Environmental improvements to the areas around the outside of the Hall

By popular demand, no changes are envisaged to the room above the Penn Curzon Room.

The next stage is to cost the project. Unfortunately, there is a tight time schedule because a grant application would have to be submitted by the 1st September 1997 to take advantage of monies available from the Millennium Fund for improving Village Halls. It must be remembered that our application for funds may not be successful, but if it is, villagers would have to raise 1/6th of the funds required with the remainder coming from various grant sources.

A meeting will be held in the Hall on Monday, 11th August, to discuss the costings for the project and to finally agree to submit the application for funds. This will be an open meeting and all villagers are welcome to come along.

In the meantime, if anyone has any comments on the above proposals, please contact our Chairman, Brian Mountain, on 883032

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Edition 49, August 1997


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Due to the ever-increasing costs of repairs to electrical and other fittings, the Committee have decided that ball games will no longer be allowed in the Manor Hall.

By the time you read this, we shall have had our Open Day, during which ideas for future uses of the Hall will have been on display with the hope that villagers will have come along to give their views. [Only 7 questionnaires were returned!] After the Open Day, the Committee will meet with the Parish Council and decisions will be made based on reactions of the local people. More on this subject at a later date.

Please remember the




BERRY REVELS are on TUESDAY, 5TH AUGUST

starting at 6.30 p.m. All the usual stalls, side-shows, etc., and we hope that the
British Legion Youth Band will come marching in! Come along, enjoy
yourselves and spend your money! All proceeds go to the upkeep and
maintenance of YOUR Hall.




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Edition 48, June 1997


BERRYNARBOR MANOR HALL
Management Committee

Our AGM was held on Tuesday, 5th May, 1997. The existing Committee were re-elected by those members of the public present. Therefore, for the coming year the Management Committee is as follows:

• Chairman: Brian Mountain
• Secretary: Vi Davies
• Treasurer: Tom Tucker
• Loma Bowden [Parish Council Representative]
• Ann Hinchliffe [Bookings Secretary]
• Pat Sayer
• John Hood

We were asked to provide a book to be kept in the kitchen in which users of the Hall can record breakages, accidents, complaints, suggestions, etc. This will be available shortly and hirers of the Hall are asked to make use of it to record any comments as a feed-back to the Management Committee.

A feasibility study is being undertaken to investigate all aspects of the Manor Hall [state of repair, finances, heating, usage, etc.]. All regular hirers of the Hall and hopefully all households in the village will receive a questionnaire asking for your views on the Hall. If you do not receive one through your door, extra copies will be available in the Post Office. Please take the opportunity of expressing your opinions. Once the information has been correlated, we intend to hold an open day in the Hall on Saturday, 12th July, so that everyone can come along and see what the future for the Hall may be.

REMEMBER
BERRY REVELS NIGHT - TUESDAY, 5TH AUGUST

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Edition 47, April 1997


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The staging was delivered on time and many of you will have by now seen it in use at the B.B.C's performances on the 14th and 15th March. We are hoping to leave it erected permanently so that it is available for everyone to use but you will appreciate that we have storage problems to overcome with the new chairs, etc. We now have a permanent 'theatrical' licence. If you are planning this type of event, we can obtain a one-off licence to cover your performance but a permanent licence Would be too expensive. The seating plan is displayed on the noticeboard in the Hall. Please keep to the plan and the conditions listed at the bottom to ensure that we have no problems with the Authorities.

Regular users will be pleased to know that there will be no increase in the charges for hiring the Hall this year. However, the Treasurer has informed us that budget forecasts indicate than an increase will be necessary in 1998!

Sometimes hirers of the Hall take the tablecloths, teacloths away to wash them. We have had the situation where they have not been retumed for some weeks and other organisations have found that there are no cloths available for their events. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ANY CLOTHS FROM THE HALL! Arrangements were made some time ago for all cloths to be washed when necessary and a suitable container should soon be available in the kitchen into which those cloths which need washing can be placed.

The Berry Revels will be held on Tuesday, 5th August, this year. Please come and support us as the success of this event provides the cash to purchase new equipment, etc. Make a note in your diary, now.

The Management Committee's A.G.M. will be held in the Hall on Tuesday, 6th May, at 7.30 p.m. All villagers are invited to come along and give suggestions for ways the use of the Hall could be improved. Coffee and biscuits will be provided [hints of bribery?].

Tom Tucker

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Edition 46, February 1997


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The proceeds from the village Christmas Card Delivery and sherry and mince pie morning were £137. We delivered over 900 cards [almost 200 more than last year!]. Our thanks to the deliverers who walked off the excesses of Christmas in advance, to Vi and Ann for the pies and to those who donated raffle prizes.

Villagers will be pleased to know that staging has been ordered for the Hall and will be delivered during January - our thanks to the village Concert Group who have offered a generous donation towards the cost. Due to certain problems which occurred last year, we have had to apply to the District Council for a theatre licence, which necessitated submitting a detailed seating plan for approval. After discussions with the Fire Officer, the indications are that we shall be granted a licence to seat a maximum of 200 at any theatrical type performance. However, the plan which we have submitted will have to be strictly adhered to by anyone hiring the Hall for such a performance, as will certain other conditions which have been imposed upon us. These conditions will be discussed with each organisation likely to be using the Hall for this type of event. It must be remembered that the Council/Fire Officer may carry out a 'spot check' at any event and any contravention of the regulations may result in the performance being cancelled! We shall shortly be ordering more chairs.

In the spring of last year we ordered two dozen tea cloths for use in the kitchen. These have all disappeared and more have had to be purchased. During November, the 'honesty' box used to collect money for the History/Cookery books was taken and similarly, during early December, a large quantity of washing up liquid went missing. If anyone can throw any light on these strange happenings, please let a member of the Committee know.

Finally, the Management Committee wish all 'Berryites' a peaceful and prosperous 1997.

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Edition 44, October 1996


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Berry Revels took place on 20th August. The weather cleared and we had a good night. Takings during the evening amounted to £841.57, which compares favourably with previous years. Our thanks to everyone who turned out to help and to those who kindly donated the various prizes. Special thanks are due to PAT SAYER, who took on the job of organising it all.

The question of parking in the Manor Hall car park continues to raise controversy and apparently has done so for many years. There is no question that the Manor Hall was given to the village for the benefit of all Berryites', however, the Hall is offered to hirers with car parking facilities and if the hirer arrives to find that all the parking spaces have already been taken, they are likely to go elsewhere next time. As our budget forecast for 1996-97 indicates that rental income and Parish Council grant will barely cover the costs of running the Hall, any loss of income will result in higher rents to village organisations, e.g. the Playgroup, Sunday School, Primary School, W.I., etc. Something we would rather not see. We know from contact with other village hall management committees that the rents we charge are amongst the lowest in the area.

PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP IT THIS WAY. If the Hall is being used on a particular evening, PLEASE park somewhere else. [We are lucky in having a large, free car park no more than 100 yards from the centre of the village!]

Finally, we have lost two stalwarts from the Management Committee. Joy Morrow and Ginny Neale have both resigned after serving on the Committee for many years. If there are any community spirited villagers out there who are willing to join us and help to both manage the Hall and assist with the various activities we organise to raise funds to keep the Hall in good repair, PLEASE contact Brian Mountain on 883032.

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Edition 35, April 1995


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMITTEE

Tenders are invited for re-roofing the Manor Hall. Full details can be obtained from Dave Beagley, 882002.

The Committee invite members of the public to attend their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 2nd May, in the Penn Curzon Room at 7.30 p.m.

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Edition 31, August 1994


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMIITTEE

BERRYNARBOR HORTICULTURAL AND ART SHOW

Schedules will be available from 8th August at the following locations:

• Berrynarbor Post Office
• Ye Olde Globe
• Willis & Sons, Combe Martin

Please ASK for these schedules.

NEW PROCEDURE FOR SHOW To enable more people to find time for the Show, we shall open the Hall on Friday, 2nd September, from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. so that you may bring your entries along. Remember, ALL ENTRY FORMS MUST BE IN THE POST OFFICE by NOON ON WEDNESDAY, 31ST AUGUST, or by 6.00 p.m. to Fuchsia Cottage. We look forward to having the Biggest and Best Show ever! Please support this village event and bring along any plants you may wish to sell on the plant stall.






[Open to Residents and Non-Residents of Berrynarbor]

SATURDAY, 3RD SEPTEMBER 1994, 2.30 p.m.
MANOR HALL, BERRYNARBOR

Admission: Adutls 50p, Children Free

Light Refereshments ** Raffle

PRESENTATION OF CUPS: 3.30 p.m.
AUCTION OF EXHIBITS: 3.45 p.m.
[Time are approximate]




ENTRIES CLOSE: WEDNESDAY, 31ST AUGUST, 1994

Entry Forms [no Entry Fees] should be collected from and returned to: The Post Office, Berrynarbor, Willis & Sons, High Street, Combe Martin




The Management Committee has entered our village Hall into the 'Best Run Village Hall Competition' . The judges will have met with some committee members on 22nd July, so let's hope we have done well. At least it will be a learning experience.

WANTED: Any spare tea towels - ours keep going "walkies"!

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Edition 30, June 1994


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The A.G.M. was held on 3rd May with only ONE member of the public in attendance! Letters were sent to 12 groups using the Hall concerning the A.G.M. Agenda and Staging, and only one response was received. The Committee assumes, therefore, that we are doing a 'good job' in managing your Village Hall. Officers for the coming year are:

• Chairman: Brian Mountain [883032]
• Recording Secretary: Lorna Bowden
• Corresponding Secretary: Vi Davies [882696]
• Treasurer: Tom Tucker [883881)
• Committee: Ginny Neale, Pat Sayer, Ann Hinchliffe, Joy Morrow

We have purchased a dehumidifier for the Hall. Instructions/guidelines for its use will follow in the fall. A new bench has been sited outside the Hall in memory of Bill Tyrrell, long-time friend and member of the Manor Hall Management Committee. Also, please note the new tubs. They have been lovingly planted out by Josef Belka and acquired by Anne and Vi Davies with funds from the Committee.

THE BERRY REVELS will be held on Tuesday, 2nd August, at 6.30 p.m. This is the MAJOR fund-raiser for the Hall, so please support this event in any way you can. Donations of raffle prizes, baked goods, help with stalls, etc., ARE MOST WELCOME. Contact Anne Hinchliffe [883708] or Ginny Neale [882447] if you can help. Thanks.

Remember the HORTICULTURAL AND ART SHOW on Saturday, 3rd September. Details in August Newsletter. PLEASE, PLEASE, any artist's about - enter your work in the Show!

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Edition 29, April 1994


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT

The Manor Hall A.G. M. is on Tuesday, 3rd May, at 7.30 p.m. in the Penn Curzon Room. The public is welcome to attend. Please bring CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS for use of the Hall and express you feelings about staging: its pros/cons, cost, use and storage.

USERS .. please turn on the fan in the kitchen when boiling water - we have enough moisture in the building without another source. Also, please note that we now have a dehumidifier in the Hall. If you turn it off because it is noisy, please make sure you TURN IT ON again when you leave.

Work has commenced on preparing the site, beside the Manor Hall, for a seat in memory of Bill Tyrell.

Horticultural & Art Show A reminder that this event is AROUND THE CORNER, so please be thinking of craft items, jams, veggies and flower entries for the Show. This show has always been held on the first Saturday in September, but would YOU support it if it was held earlier, say 20th or 27th August? Please let Joy or Ray or Margaret Ludlow know of your feelings, in writing by 1st June, regarding this possible date change.

Best Kept Village Competition The Village has once again entered this competition, so please help by:

• picking up litter when you see it *
• putting your rubbish out on the morning of collection and not the night [or even longer] before, as animals tend to attack the bags *
• give your 'little bit' of Berrynarbor a tidy up - as you always do *

The preliminary judging is May/June, with the Final Judging in July. We do not know when these judges will come.

Comments or offers of help please contact Joy Morrow, after 20th April [882531].

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Edition 28, February 1994


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Thank you one and all for your generous support! The Christmas Charity Post raised £75 for Hall funds.

A REMINDER .. please USE the new fans when you use the heating in the Hall as they will CIRCULATE the HEAT and help, to some extent, the condensation problem caused by the cold stone walls.

PLEASE report any problems or damage you notice in regard to the Hall complex to any one of the following: Brian Mountain [Chairman] - 883032, Joy Morrow [Booking Agent] - 882531 or Vi Davies [Secretary] - 882696.

We are accepting tenders for the siting and placing of a wooden bench near the Hall, which will involve some cement work. Please contact Brian Mountain [883032] for details by 21st February.

HELP .. do you have, or know anyone who may have, a dehumidifier they would loan for a week to the Hall? We should be happy to pay rental on same. Please contact Brian or Joy if you can help. Thank you.

Joy Morrow

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Edition 26, October 1993


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Horticultural Show What a glorious sunny day for the Show! 45 people entered the Show with a total of over 357 individual entries. We think everyone enjoyed the day and the venue [with the Hall redecoration completed], and due to everyone's kind generosity, over £144 was raised for Hall funds.

The Cup Winners were:

Globe Cup [Floral Art]	Sue Wright
Walls Cup [Cookery]	Vi Kingdon
Davis Cup [Handicrafts]	Mrs. Barcus
P.T.A. cup [Class 3]	Michael Hammett
Men's Institute Cup [Class 2]	Loanna Chugg
Mayflower Dish [Class 1]	Jake Lynch
Watermouth Cup [Wine-making]	Charles Ferry
George Hippisley Cup [Art]	Helen Armstead
Vi Kingdon Award [Photography]	Joan Miller
Derrick Kingdon Cup [Fruit and Veg.]	Ray Toms
Lethaby Cup [Potted Plants]	Vi Kingdon
Manor Stores Rose Bowl [Cut Flowers]	Mr. and Mrs. Parkhouse
Best in Show	Sue Wright




Please support this Show in 1994 - the date is usually the first Saturday in September.

Berry Revels In spite of 'iffy' weather, the Berry Revels showed a profit of £681.76, which will be a welcome aid to Hall funds. A great big THANK YOU to everyone who helped to make this event a success, especially Ginny Neale and Vi Davies.

Decoration of the Hall is complete. PLEASE do take care of the newly painted walls and new floor surface. Try to pick up items rather than slide them across the floor. Please note all instructions for using the ceiling fans, heaters and the extractor fan and make sure that all lights are switched off when you leave! Thank you.

The Manor Hall received a kind donation from the Modern Sequence Dance Club and this has been used to purchase six new bridge tables. Thank you, Stan and Ivy.

It is with regret that we announce the resignation of Roy Perry as Chairman of the Committee. Roy has given so generously of his time and energy over the past three years. Well done, Roy, and thank you! Brian Mountain has been elected as the new Chairman.

If you would like to join in the management of your Village Hall, please don't hesitate to come on to the team. Contact Brian [883032], Vi Davies [882696] or me [882531] .

Joy Morrow

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Edition 25, August 1993


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A further REMINDER of the HORTICULTURAL AND ART SHOW on Saturday, 4th September. Attention all wine makers, please enter your wines. Schedules will be available from 9th August from the Post Office, Swift's in Ilfracombe and Willis & Sons in Combe Martin.

Miss Joan Miller, who recently retired as Health Visitor, has kindly donated a lovely Sweet Dish to the Horticultural and Art Show. This award will be given to the Infant Class Winner and will be known as the Mayflower Dish. In 1968, Joan was Health Visitor and School Nurse for the Lynton to Braunton area, and Berrynarbor School was one of the first village schools she visited. Thank you, Joan for your kind donation.

As many of you know by now, the Manor Hall complex is in a state of redecoration - the Main Hall, the Bassett Room, Kitchen and Entrance into the Men's Institute will be completely repainted. Also, the dedo surround to the Main Hall is being stripped, re-stained and varnished, in addition to which the main floor will be relined for badminton and the surface sealed. All this work is being done via Community Service work force and the labour is free, the materials, at trade price, being the only cost. Very good value for money and a service to the COMMUNITY. We hope the work will be completed by 4th September.

The Manor Hall booking schedule will be with Vi Davies (882696) until the end of August. Please make bookings with her.

Is anyone interested in a Thai Chi Class for Beginners? Possibly in the Manor Hall beginning on or about Tuesday, 7th September. If you are interested, please contact either Michael Burgess [Instructor 75579] or Joy Morrow [882531].

If not Thai Chi, how about a Save a Life class? This would be a short 2 evening/ afternoon session which could help you to save a life. Please contact Joy after 31st August, and if there are enough names, we can see about getting a class arranged for the Village Hall. This is something ALL of us should know something about.

MISSING - 10 tea towels have gone missing from the Manor Hall. They have 'Manor Hall' stamped on them. Do you have them?

Joy Morrow

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Edition 24, June 1993


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The HORTICULTURAL & ART SHOW is to be held on Saturday, 4th September 1993. To ensure that we have a super show this year, I thought I would give you a 'scoop' on some entries you could be preparing - crocheted, knitted, embroidered, counted cross-stitch and patchwork articles; any item made of WOOD; artwork, e.g. landscape, still life or picture in black and white; floral art titles "Kitchen Garden" [fruit, vegetables and herbs, 18" x 18"], "Foliage Splendour" [foliage, 12" x 12"], "Tiny Treasures" [miniature arrangement, 4" x 4"] and "Maritime Devon" [any flowers and foliage with accessories, 15" x 15"]. There will be a WINE section this year, so please support this class. Most of the other classes will remain the same, so refer to last year's schedule. It is hoped to have this year' s schedules at the Post Office around the 10th August.

HELP is needed in filling out prize cards, so if YOU can help, please contact me by 5th July.

There will be a COFFEE MORNING on Saturday, 12th June, at the Manor Hall at 10.30 a.m. for the benefit of the BERRYNARBOR NEWSLETTER. Baked goods stall, raffle and bring and buy. Please help to support our Village Newsletter by coming along with a cake, raffle prize or just plain money! If you can help in any way, please contact Vi Davies [882696] or Joy Morrow [882531].

DON'T FORGET the BERRY REVELS Evening on Tuesday, 27th July, at 6.30 p.m. Can YOU help in any way? Items needed for tombola, raffle and also new ideas. Contact Ginny Neale [882447] after 6.00 p.m.

Wanted Someone to come along to be Treasurer for the Management Committee. Would require light book-keeping and a monthly written statement of accounts for the Committee. Attendance at meetings NOT essential. Please help if you can. Contact Roy Perry [883209] or Joy Morrow [882531] .

Joy Morrow

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Edition 23, April 1993


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A little Light on the Subject

Users of the Manor Hall will be happy to know that there is now an outside sensor light in place over the main entrance. Note that when leaving the Hall, there is a small ROUND TIME SWITCH on your left as you open the door PUSH this and you will have ' light' in the small porch area. These lights were purchased with proceeds from the Christmas Card delivery organised by Mr. Richardson - thank you, one and all.

Users of the Hall also note .... there is now HOT WATER in all toilets and the small sink area in the Penn Curzon Room. Please ensure that all taps are turned off.

We are hoping that the Main Hall will be redecorated over the Easter holiday. You will be notified if YOUR use of the Hall is affected.

From 29th March to 18th April, bookings of the Manor Hall should be made through the Post Office.

The Berry Revels [in aid of Hall funds] will be held on TUESDAY, 27TH JULY, 6.30 p.m. Help and Ideas NEEDED. Please contact Ginny Neale (882447) or Joy Morrow (882531). Items are required for the tombola - old jewellery soft toys and other small items - please contact Ginny or Joy.

A.G.M. Tuesday, 6th April, 7.30 p.m. Penn Curzon Room

At this yearly meeting of the Committee, we welcome any ideas or issues that need to be brought to the Committee's attention, for example:

1. The future of the Committee. New members wanted.
2. Long range use of the Hall complex and the Hall's future.
3. Maintenance and decoration projects 1993-4.
4. Items of concern to the public/organisations present at the meeting.

Please come along, and encourage your friends and neighbours as well, and get involved in the use and management of YOUR VILLAGE HALL.

Joy Morrow

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Edition 22, February 1993


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The A.G.M. will be held on Tuesday, 6th April at the Manor Hall, 7.30 p.m., with a regular meeting to follow. New members are NEEDED for this Committee, so please come along. The village hall belongs to us all, please don't take it for granted.

Gone Walkies Several small, pink tablecloths belonging to the W. I. have gone missing. Have you got them amongst your washing pile by any chance? ! They have been missing for several months, so please look and see if YOU have got them.

Remember the Horticultural Show NEEDS your help See the article in the October 1992 issue, pages 18/19. Ideas are needed for the Schedule. Without more support, it may be that this event will not happen.

Please, PLEASE, PLEASE shut the outside door in to the Penn Curzon room when entering or leaving the building, especially on rainy days as the wet is not good for the door if it is left open. We have just spent money on this door due to damage. Please shut the door behind you. Thanks.

WANTED Old tights [washed please!] to be used to fill a draught excluder.

Beginning on the 1st February there may be some disruption in the Hall due to plumbing works [hot water taps are being put in the toilet block]. Please bear with us.

Joy Morrow

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Edition 21, December 1992


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Management Committee is accepting tenders for the supplying and fitting of 5 small electric water heaters and one additional small wash handbasin. Tender to include electrical and plumbing work. Please contact Roy Perry [883209] for details and inspection of work. Before 31st December, please.

Piano for Sale Offers invited. Contact Roy Perry [883209] or Joy Morrow [883251] .

Request to Users of the Manor Hall Please ensure that all lights and heating are OFF before you leave. Please TURN ON extractor fan when boiling water in the new kitchen. Thank you.

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Edition 20, October 1992


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Best Kept Village Award

Once again Congratulations to Berrynarbor for winning the Runners-Up Award for large villages in North Devon! This award will be presented at the Harvest Supper on 7th October at the Manor Hall, and will be made by Mrs. Rachael Thomas, Countryside Commissioner. Mrs. Jean Allen, Hon. Organiser of this competition will be in attendance. The competition is sponsored by the Council for the Protection of Rural England and our continued success [awards from 1985-92] brings many visitors to our village - so keep up the good standard and pick up litter when you find it and continue to "maintain your own special patch". The judging results are in the Post Office and the bus shelter.

Britain in Bloom

Berrynarbor has won the Gordon Ford Cup for Britain in Bloom 1992 - well done, Berrynarbor! Watch for details in the Post Office for any award event.

Heddy and Josef Belka, Joy Morrow and Roy Perry have advised the Parish Council that they will be stepping down/aside from this competition. This small team has entered the village in the event since 1987 and now feel the time has come to give others an opportunity to participate. Berrynarbor has won awards every year, including the Mary Mortimer Trophy in 1990 and 1991 [for villages under 800 population], and now the Gordon Ford Cup.

Anyone interested in this project should please contact Mr. John Vince, Clerk to the Parish Council, Holly Lodge, Horne Park Road, Ilfracombe. Tel: 862362. The team will be very happy to offer any advice.

Berry Revels Evening 1992

£865 was raised for village hall funds and it was "all right on the night" - weatherwise. A great deal of effort went into the event and special thanks to Ginny Neale, Vi Davies and Linda Denzey for "tying up" all the details, but it takes everyone workinq together to make an event like this succeed ... so thank you, everyone. Ideas welcome for next year!

Horticultural Show and Art Show

Even though Mother Nature wasn't exactly co-operating for this year's show, we had 327 entries [546 in 1991] and 41 people joined in the fun compared to 91 in 1991!! Mr. David Chaplin, the new Headteacher of Berrynarbor Primary School, presented the following cups:




Globe Cup [Flower Arranging]
Walls Cup [Home Cooking]
Davis Cup [Handicrafts]
P.T.A. Cup [Top class]
Men's Institute Cup [Middle Class]
Watermouth Castle Cup [Infant Class]
George Hippisley Cup [Art]
Vi Kingdon Cup [Photography]
Derrick Kingdon Cup [Fruit/Vegetable]
Lethaby Cup [Potted Plants]
Manor Stores Cup [Cut Flowers]
Management Committee Cup [Best in Show]

Sue Wright
Vi Kingdon
Ginny Neale
Gregory Pearson
Adam Pilkington
Mark Middlemass
June Perry
Joy Morrow
Iain McCrae
Jenny Taylor
Michael Morrow
Iain McCrae




Approximately £140 was raised for village hall funds - thanks to everyone's generosity.

A great big thank you to ALL who helped with this event, we couldn't have done it without you. Special thanks to Judie Weedon [printing schedules, etc.], Jenny Taylor [morale], and Maggie Allen [booking in, etc.]. Please do support this event in the future [or we may lose yet another part of village life]. The event takes place on the first Saturday in September and needs YOUR entries, so start growing, cooking, knitting, stitching, painting and picture snapping NOW. Any suggestions are very WELCOME to make the Show more successful - ideas for the schedules, volunteers for the event, etc. The schedule is printed in early July so IDEAS/COMMENTS are needed early but make them now whilst they are still fresh in your mind. ART WORK is desperately needed. Here's hoping we have a show in 1993.

Joy Morrow on behalf of the Manor Hall Management Committee
[882531]

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Edition 18, June 1992


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT TEAM

wanted : wanted : wanted : wanted : wanted : wanted : wanted : wanted

TWO MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE as soon as possible. Please contact Vi Davies (882696) or any team member if you are interested. We are a small, but active team WORKING for your village and VILLAGE HALL please come forward.

HELP, HELP AND MORE HELP! with the Berry Revels Event to be held on Tuesday, 28th July, 6.00 to 9.00 p.m. at the Manor Hall. This is the BIG fund raiser of the year for hall funds, so everyone's assistance is needed. You can help in several ways. Just to mention a few:

Can you:

• Help set up the event?
• Donate any item [or money] for prizes?
• Run a Stall [or assist someone else run a stall]?
• Distribute posters or run the raffle?
• Help with the Bar-B-Q or donate potatoes?
• Donate bric-a-brac/ help buy needed supplies?
• Sell tickets at the Gate?
• Bake an item for the Cake Stall?
• Donate a bottle for the Bottle Stall?

By everyone working together, this can be a REAL VILLAGE EVENT. Please offer some help - it can't succeed without YOU. Contact Joy Morrow [882531] , Ginny Neale [882447] or Vi Davies [882696].

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Edition 17, April 1992


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Residents are invited to the Annual General Meeting to be held in the Manor Hall at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 7th April. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Committee, please contact Vi Davies [882696].

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Edition 16, February 1992


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A great big thank you to Alan Richardson and his team of 'elves', who masterminded the charity Christmas Card distribution. The project raised £60 for hall funds and we plan to use some of the money for Christmas Tree decorations for 1992.

The Management team is discussing several issues at present including portable staging or rostra, new curtains, redecorating the main hall and repointing the outside of the Penn Curzon section and repairs to the stone mullions on the main hall windows. The issue of staging is a complex and expensive item, from £400 to £2,000. We have a storage problem for any new item acquired, so very careful consideration must be given to all items. We should like some input from YOU on this issue, since it is so expensive. The Committee needs justification for the expenditure - How often will it be used? and by whom? Please make your thoughts known by contacting a committee member in writing with your name and telephone number.

Any questions and comments relevant to the Management or the use of the Hall complex, can be put in writing to the Secretary [Vi Davies, Lee Side] prior to our monthly meetings - the 1st Tuesday in each month. Our A.G. M. will be held in April - open to the public. Please watch for the date!

Joy Morrow [882531]

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Edition 13, August 1991


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Chairman: Roy Perry [883209]

The team was sad to lose one of its valued members - Betty Davis. We have only 'lost' Betty in one sense, because she is always a phone call away. She served this team both in the capacity of Chairman and Treasurer. We miss you, Betty! Linda Denzey has kindly agreed to become our new treasurer - welcome aboard, Linda.

The team has had some ups and downs lately. We try our best to 'manage' your village hall and this takes time and effort from the 6 or 7 of us. Do you appreciate it? Please help us by ensuring that when you or an organisation you belong to use the hall, that you leave the rooms in good order and that heaters and Iights are turned OFF. Please pay bills promptly. A word of praise or constructive criticism isn't out or order. We do our best for one of the village properties.

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Edition 12, June 1991


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Officers for 1991-2:

• Chairman - Roy Perry [883541]
• Secretary - Vi Davies [882696]
• Treasurer - To be elected

Committee:

• Joy Morrow [882531]
• Ginny Neale [882447]
• Margaret Walls [883762]
• Parish Council - Lorna Bowden

The A.G.M. was attended by only 2 members of the public. Discussion was held regarding the new staging and re-decoration of the main hall and Penn Curzon room, which has been completely rewired; the toilets are now fitted with a time switch which automatically switches off after about 10 minutes, so be warned!

Berry Revels - this event may not happen this year! If you have concerns, comments, etc., please contact one of the Committee before Wednesday, 5th June.

Craft Markets - 2 are scheduled this summer, 24th July and 21st August. If you are interested in selling crafts at these events or know someone who might be, please contact Vi Davies on 882696.

Horticultural and Art Show - date is 7th September. Please, please plan to join in and enter. Art items end children's entries WANTED!

Britain in Bloom - Yes, we have entered!! Judging will be held in mid-July. Watch out for posters. Thanks to Josef and Hedy Belka, Roy and June Perry and Ron Toms.

Joy Morrow

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Edition 10, February 1991


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMITTEE

A great big thank you to Alan Richardson and his team of helpers for the £63.00 raised by them via the Berrynarbor Charity Christmas Card Distribution. The money has been donated to the Manor Hall. Thank you one and all for supporting this project.

Manor Hall - Housekeeping Guidelines Keys available from the Post Office. Please leave rooms neat and orderly and as follows:

Main Hall

• Stack chairs in groups of 4 [plastic chairs one side and wooden chairs the other side]
• New tables to end of Hall
• Small tables to toilet end of Bassett Room
• Sweep floors.

Penn Curzon Room

• 12 chairs, 2 stacks of 6.
• Turn off extractor fan. if used.
• Please unplug electric kettle

Kitchen [it's new; let's keep it that way]

• Turn on extractor fan before boiling water.
• Turn off all switches [e.g. extractor fan, water heater, lights]
• Put dishes in proper place in cupboard
• Wipe down all surfaces.

General Please ensure that all lights, heaters are off [especially lights in loos] before leaving.

All the above measures will help us to keep our running costs in hand. Any problems or concerns, please report to:

• Roy Perry [Chairman] 883209
• Joy Morrow [Hall Bookings] 882531

The Manor Hall Management Committee is requesting tenders for repairs to and redecorating of the Manor Hall. Please contact Vi Davies; Leeside [882596] for specifications, obtainable from 25th to 28th February.

Joy Morrow

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Edition 8, October 1990


MANOR HALL BOOKINGS

For Manor Hall bookings, please ring Joy Morrow, [882531] , Fuchsia Cottage, after 6.00 p.m. or drop the information through her door, giving your name, address and 'phone number.

Joy Morrow

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Edition 8, October 1990


MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMITTEE

Thank you, THANK you, THANK YOU, one and all for your kind support of the Village Hall fund raising events held this summer. It couldn't have happened without everyone working together. The fantastic sum of £1,784 raised by these events will go towards the maintenance of our Hall and towards new projects like portable staging, tables, crockery, curtains, etc.

The new kitchen is now complete. To all users, please help us keep it new by treating it with care and by putting items back where you find them. Any problems or concerns can be reported to any Committee Member:

Roy Perry, Chairman
Vi Davis, Secretary
Betty Davis, Treasurer
Joy Morrow, Hall Bookings
Ginny Neale
Margaret Walls.

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Edition 7, August 1990



MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Berry Revels Evening, Tuesday 14th August, 6.30 - 9.00 pm Manor Hall. Any donations [raffle prizes, cakes (or any baked goods), help on the day, ideas , bottles, tombola prizes, etc.] will be gratefully accepted. Contact Joy Morrow, Fuchsia Cottage [882531]. Your help is needed too!

Berry Revels Craft Fair, Wednesday, 15th August, 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Manor Hall. Refreshments served. Come along and bring your friends and visitors - do your Christmas shopping early!

Berrynarbor Horticultural and Art Show, Saturday, 8th September, 2.00 p.m. Manor Hall. Watch for schedules in mid-August at the Post Office, Manor Stores and Butchers. Please support this event!! Especially the flower, wine and art sections.

The above three events are in aid of our Village Hall. The kitchen project is in hand and work should begin around the middle of August. The next major project is portable staging so your support is needed. Any donations will be very welcome.

Would anyone having any information regarding the damage to the gas heater near the kitchen please contact one of the Committee Members. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who helped make my Coffee Morning such a success, especially Alan Denzey and Ron Toms for their 'labour of love'. £141.50 was raised in aid of the Chapel in Berrynarbor.

Joy Morrow

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Edition 6, June 1990



MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The 1990 Management Committee is:

• Chairman: Roy Perry, Dormer House - 883209
• Secretary: Mrs. Vi Davies, Leeside - 882696
• Treasurer: Mrs Betty Davis, Chatsworth - 88354
• Committee:
  • Mrs. Ginny Neale - 882447
  • Mr. A. Rice [representing the Parish Council]
  • Mrs. Joy Morrow - 882531
  • Mrs. Margaret Walls - 883762

The kitchen project grants have been approved and it is hoped that the new kitchen will be completed late this summer if all goes as planned.

Welcome to the new members of the Manor Hall Team; we have a very busy year ahead of us so we shall be asking for HELP from the parishioners at large. Thank you to Terry Chantler for all her hard work as Secretary for the past two years.

Advance Notice BERRY REVELS EVENING, Tuesday, 14TH AUGUST, 6.00 to 9.00 p.m. Manor Hall. Proceeds in aid of Manor Hall!! Please: If you can help in any small way, contact: Joy Morrow, Fuchsia Cottage, 882531.

Joy Morrow

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Edition 5, April 1990



MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Manor Hall Management Committee will be holding their Annual General Meeting at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 25th in the Penn-Curzon Room. Everyone welcome. Discussion will take place on the Kitchen Project and any other item of interest relating to the Manor Hall.

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Edition 4, February 1990



MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

There are a few places left in the Ceramics Class in the village. For details please contact Jean Carter [882369].

Thank you to everyone who gave in ANY way to our Christmas Tree and Decoration Project for the Manor Hall. The Hall looked festive and will do so in the future.

Application Forms have been received for us to enter the Best Kept Village and Britain in Bloom 1990 competitions.

If you would like to be involved in any way, please contact:

• Joy Morrow or Josef Belka - Britain in Bloom
• Ann Davis - Best Kept Village [on behalf of the Youth Club]

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Edition 2, October 1989



MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Horticultural and Art Show. Despite the long, hot summer of 1989, there was a magnificent 382 entries to this year's Show. Thank you to all who participated in any way, large or small.

People working together is what it is all about. Proceeds from the auction, door, raffle, refreshments and lucky draws totalled £176.85. Funds will be used in aid of Hall Projects, such as the new kitchen.

The following cups were awarded :

• Walls Cup [Domestic] - Mrs. J. Fubini
• Davis Cup [Handicrafts] - Mrs. J. Fubini
• P. T. A. Cup L Children 's Exhibit] - Charlotte Fryer
• Men's Institute Cup [Children's Exhibit completed in the Hall] - Sara Lewis
• Watermouth Castle Cup [Home-made Wine] - Mr. J. B. Allen
• George Hippisley Cup [Art] - Mrs. June Perry
• VI Kingdon Award [Photography] - Mrs. Hedy Belka
• Derrick W. Kingdon Cup [Fruit & Vegetables] - Mr. Josef Belka
• Lethaby Cup [Pot -Plants] - Mrs. Jill McCrae
• Manor Stores Rose Bowl [Cut Flowers] - Ray Toms
• Management Committee Cup [Best Entry in Show] - Mrs. J. Fubini for her entry of a handspun, finely knitted wedding veil

The Berry Revels Evening was once again a great success. Again, thank you to EVERYONE who worked so hard for this event which raised £853.56 for Manor Hall Funds, to help with the new kitchen. The Craft Market was also a success and was enjoyed by many locals and visitors. A sum of £61 was raised. It is hoped that these two events will 'happen' again next year.

Thank you Jenny Taylor for arranging the Crafts, and Terri Chantler for the paper work.

Britain in Bloom. The Clem Preece Memorial Award for community effort was presented to the village. This is a Britain in Bloom West Country Tourist Board award, and it is a lovely cut-glass flower bowl - currently on display in the Manor Stores, but will rotate with the Post Office and Miss Muffet's.

Now for 1990! A short meeting will be held on TUESDAY, 17TH OCTOBER at 10.30 a.m. in the Bassett Room. Volunteers most welcome - come along and help where you can. The village is to be congratulated and to quote the B in B judge "An exceptionally attractive village with a very fine community spirit."

Best Kept Village 1989. We were placed Runners Up, with a total of 99 points - you can't get closer to 100 than that! As the judge said, 'It was extremely difficult to find fault with any aspect of this very well-cared-for village. The display of flowers in private and commercial premises was outstanding.' Do come along to the Harvest Supper for the presentation of the N.D.D.C. Cup for combined villages, A first!

Joy Morrow

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Edition 1, August 1989



MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Berry Revels Craft Market - Tuesday, 15th August, 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. at the Manor Hall. All welcome to come and buy. If you would like to take part in this event, please contact Jenny Taylor [62205).

A Berry Revels Evening - Wednesday, 16th August:

• 6.30 p.m. start.
• 7.00 - 8.00 p.m. Bratton Fleming Hand Bell Ringers.
• Claude and His Guitar 8.30 p.m.
• Muddiford & Milltown Morris Men. Every 45 mins from 6.30 p.m.
• Professor Steven and Puppets

PLUS .... Stalls, Draw, Bar-B-Q, Cider Stall, Cakes and Baked Goods, Skittles, Teddy Bears and Footballs to be won, Tombolas, Clotted Cream and Apple Pie, etc. Ail profits in aid of the Village Hall NEW KITCHEN project.

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