EMMBROOK Village Hall committee would love to hear from people with DIY experience and web design skills, who are willing to step up and lend a hand.
The current committee has faithfully kept the facility running for decades, and now needs younger residents to come and help out.
The hall nestles beside Emmbrook’s mini roundabout, and you can miss it if you’re concentrating on your driving, but it has great significance for its community.
Many birthdays have been celebrated here, and toddlers have taken their first dancing steps on its floor.
Quilters meet here, Morris Dancers leap here, and U3A choirs sing here for fun; it’s a place for memory making, shared interests and friendships.
The hall started life as a church school and mission room in the mid-nineteenth century.
By1976, less used and somewhat neglected, the original building was destined for demolition to make way for houses.
But then Wokingham Town Council stepped in, buying it for the benefit of the community, and leasing it to a committee of volunteers.
Its roof leaked, and its kitchen was home to slugs and stinging nettles, but the committee fund-raised hard, and in 1981, with help from volunteers, hall users, and committee members, they repaired it, adding an entrance hall, new kitchen, and a toilet block.
In 1988, however, the ageing structure finally reached the end of its life and was rebuilt, once again through the committee’s efforts.
Today it is in very good shape.
It is well maintained with modern, clean facilities, and is used by a wide variety of groups.
But its future is uncertain.
Chair of the Emmbrook Village Hall committee Peggy Johns explained: “We need another generation of people to love the hall and start investing in it.
“It won’t be hard, or time consuming – we don’t need them to join the committee, or come to endless meetings.
“We just need people willing to invest just an hour a week, or even an hour a month to help with the upkeep and maintenance of the hall.”
Margaret Adamson, treasurer, added: “And we’re not asking people for money, either.
“The hall is very well booked, and pays for its own maintenance.
“It’s well run and in good condition, and we charge a reasonable rent.
“And because we’re all volunteers the overheads are low.”
It is evident that the facility is much loved, both by its committee and by the community, and serves people of all ages with a wide variety of interests.
Throughout the week it is used by art groups, a baby college, quilters, an archery club, a karate club, a martial arts group, and a pilates group.
Other regulars include a Morris Dancing group, a Salsa class, a dance academy, a church, a Residents Association, a scrapbooking club, and the Townswomen’s Guild.
It also serves a psychotherapist, a senior citizen’s tea club, and a U3A singing for fun group.
Vanessa Lobato runs a weekly Baby College Wokingham here for parents and their newborns to three year olds.
She said: “There aren’t enough halls to hire in the area, so this is a very valuable resource.
“It charges reasonable rates, and it’s within easy walking distance for a lot of families with children.
“ I love that it’s run by volunteers, who, in my experience, tend to be better at understanding the community’s needs.
“They know their clients personally, and they’re invested in their building so they keep it in good condition.
“Here, if something breaks, or there’s a problem with the heating, the committee gets onto it immediately.”
Many people enjoy the classes and groups on offer, and appreciate this jewel of a facility on their doorstep.
But if they don’t step up, they may lose it.
“The council would probably take it back if we can’t find the support we need,” said Peggy.
“But it will become something very different, and it will cost people more to rent.”
To help it continue as a volunteer-led community asset, the committee would love to hear from residents and hall users who would be willing to join a small team of volunteer Friends.
“It would be so helpful to have people we can call upon to give us a hand with the things we can’t do easily ourselves,” said Peggy.
“And we really need someone to help design a website where we can deposit documents and information.
“These are currently only on our home computers, and at the moment, if anything happens to us, they will be lost forever.”
Anyone with DIY experience, perhaps recently retired and able to help with minor snags and wear and tear, or with website experience is urged to contact the committee.
They would love to hear from you.
“People who use this hall love it enough to keep it just the way it is,” said Peggy.
“There’s a lot of goodwill in the village, and we are hopeful that people will come forward.
“If you have enjoyed bringing your children here, or have valued classes here, wouldn’t you like to help make sure that future generations of children and adults can enjoy making the same memories?” she added.
For more information, and to become a Friend of Emmbrook Village Hall, email: emmbrookchair@gmail.com.
The committee can also be contacted via Facebook.
