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History of the Hall

The following is the history of the village hall as far as we know.  If you have any information further or better then please send it to us via the Feedback page

September 2020.

Caston Village Hall Building Works – Phase Two

Work is underway on the second phase of the hall building improvements.  As at 1st September 2020 the “Hardiplank” cladding was fitted to the rear and north side wall and all the cavities have been filled with insulation.  The new escape doors are due for delivery this week and once fitted the cladding can be carried out to the front of the hall.  Following that the soffits need to be fitted and window surrounds plus the fitting of new notice boards.  We are expecting the work to be completed by mid-September 2020.

Newly refurbished rear of village hall

Hall Reopening

No date is yet set for reopening of the hall. The Association of Village Halls issues regular updates on requirements to be in place before the hall can reopen and as yet we cannot meet them for general reopening. Some limited use for small groups may be possible where social distancing, mask wearing, controlled entrance and exit can be observed but at this time with the builders in occupation even this is not possible. The hall committee are scheduled to meet on 10th September when reopening strategy will be on the agenda.

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April 2020

Hall Improvements Update

In early April 2020, whilst the hall was closed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the opportunity was taken to renew the false ceiling including replacing the fluorescent lighting with up-to-date LED lighting units.  This gave the hall a bright new look and enabled the electricity cost for hall lighting to be considerably reduced.

As of May 2020 the planned work on replacing the remainder of external cladding and improving the wall insulation had to be put on hold.  The builders were hoping to start in June but lack of supplies and certain sub-contractors prevented the planned progress, again due to the pandemic.

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Situation Report April 2018

The extensive upgrade and part rebuilding of the Village Hall was completed on 30th March 2018 and was opened the next day.

The old kitchen and toilet extension together with part of the main hall was dismantled and removed.  New foundations and drains were dug and a new structure built complying with modern building and insulation standards.  In addition to the new kitchen the new structure has provided new Gents’, Ladies’ and disabled modern toilet facilities and a new warm entrance hall.  The power requirements of the hall had to be upgraded to provide enough electrical power for the new cooking facilities.  Plumbing services have also been upgraded to provide hot and cold water to all basins and sink in addition to a drinking water tap on the kitchen sink.

It is still the managing trust’s aim to complete the remainder of the main hall upgrade to provide improved insulation, modern facilities and a storage / meeting room as soon as funds permit.  Much fund-raising needs to be done before the rest of the upgrade can proceed.  Donations are of course always welcome to help the cause and details can obtained from the trust treasurer at treasurer@castonvillagehall.co.uk

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IMPROVEMENTS 2017/18 – Phase 1

New large entrance porch added with new entrance ramp to accommodate disabled users.

Removal of lean-to structure housing part kitchen and part toilets and replacement with full height extension to village hall

New kitchen fitted with Neff appliances of Oven with hide-away door, Microwave, Cooker Hood and built in fridge.  New toilets incorporating Male, Female and Disabled.

New 2-phase electrical supply installed to facilitate additional electrical power required for kitchen appliances.

Village Hall fully decorated internally and new curtains fitted.

Expected cost c£88,000

We are very grateful to the following organisations which funded part of the costs.  Grants from:

Caston Parish Council £13,000
Breckland District Council £20,000
Garfield Weston £  5,000

The remainder of the money was raised from regular coffee mornings and various other events.  Thank you to those who kindly organised the events and thank you to those who attended and participated as without that patronage the improvements could not have taken place.

There is still much to do in order to improve the main structure of the hall and we will be turning our attention to that, being Phase 2.  The hall re-opened April 2018 following the above improvements.

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WINDOWS 1997

Installed double glazed windows (5), grant from Breckland £500.00, grant from Caston

Parish Council £500.00.

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OUTSIDE CLADDING OF VILLAGE HALL

The hall was clad in corrugated iron sheets for the sum of £898.00.

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1982 SUSPENDED CEILING

Installed in 1982 at a cost of £638.00 with a grant from WREN.

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  1955

2 “Artease” stoves in the main hall. £  70
Drainage and septic tank system to W. CiS and sink. £115
W.C.’s and cubicle in cloak room including plumbing. £  40
Sink and draining board in main hall and plumbing. £  15
Service counter top with flap. £  15
Total £255

A grant of £88.00 was given from the Ministry of Education.

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THE HALL

A quote of £300 from Mr Horace-Webster of Rose Cottage Caston was accepted to build the Village Hall, 60′ x 20′ to be built of wood with a brick base. The building was completed on the 29th January 1929 (the kitchen and toilets came later).

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THE LAND

On the 4th September 1928, Ambrose Smith sold to Thomas Sheffield Newcome Harding (lieutenant Colonel retired), Henry John Larwood (Farmer) and George William Barnham (Auctioneer), all of Caston and now called Trustees of the Village Hall, 1,341 square yards for the sum of £22.10.0d (Twenty-two pounds and ten shillings).