IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS

in Dorchester-on-Thames Village Hall

Exciting News

After a two-year conception and design process, plans for a radical modernisation of the Village Hall, as well as the restoration of historically important features in this outstanding Gilbert Scott building have been officially approved.

This is a £600k programme that will improve every aspect of the Hall’s layout and facilities and includes the creation of an office for Dorchester-on-Thames Parish Council.

For more information about these plans and to discover how you can help to make them happen please contact admin@dotvillagehall.fund

Dorchester on Thames Village Hall, located in the heart of the community, has been the venue for many village activities and functions since it was bought by the Parish Council in 1973. Over the years it has helped develop the village’s identity as an open and welcoming community with a wide range of activities to take part in. The Hall’s facilities are used by Dorchester citizens as well as people from the surrounding communities.

Our hall was originally a girls school, designed by the renowned Victorian architect George Gilbert Scott. Scott was knighted in 1872, the year the school opened. To highlight the historic nature of the main building, and with the approval of the Scott family, the hall has been named the Gilbert Scott Hall.

We also need to deal with a lengthening list of tasks required to maintain this historic building.

The Hall is suffering from decades of under-funding, lack of wider public appreciation and constant financial uncertainties. The necessary short-term actions have resulted in it having major structural defects, particularly in the flat-roofed extension, which is nearing end of life, and the Gilbert Scott main hall having lost many important design and architectural features due to cheap maintenance ‘fixes’. We now have an opportunity to both restore and modernise our Hall to create a community asset fit for the coming decades.

Sir George Gilbert Scott

Image courtesy of gilbertscott.org

As well as being the venue for many leisure activities, the Village Hall delivers important civic services:

It is the designated centre for emergency gatherings, having Parish Council-funded internet connection and land-line telephone and access to a generator

It is the official place of refuge in the event of a school evacuation

It is used for all official village functions, such as a polling station, public meetings and Parish Council meetings

The Village Hall charges for use of the facilities, but the minimal surplus earned is invested into the Hall’s essential maintenance.

We are seeking funding of £600,000 to restructure and modernise the Hall so that we can offer a wider and more inclusive range of facilities to the local population, create a Parish Office and make it fit-for-purpose for the next decade.

The Parish Council has committed funding of £30,000 and the appeal committee has started fund‐raising activities through donations, grant requests, and events.

As well as being a unique venue for many educational, cultural and leisure activities, positioned as it is in the heart of Dorchester and easily accessible to all residents, the Village Hall delivers important civic services.

Artist Impressions & Floorplans

Artist Impression

Exhibition

Artist Impression

Drama Group

Floor Plan

Based on 3784-401.pdf

Floor Plan

Based on 3784-400.pdf

Download Floor Plan 3784-401.pdf

Download Floor Plan 3784-400.pdf

Improved Features and Facilities

IMPRESSIVE NEW FRONTAGE AND LOBBY

Modern and welcoming new reception area
Gently sloping front forecourt allowing easy access and exit to village hall
Improved disability facilities for interior mobility, controls, and toilets

ROOM LAYOUTS

3 hireable self-contained and private hall spaces
Functions needing more space able to combine these rooms
Producing the largest private bookable room space in Dorchester

SERVICE AREAS

Front-of-house catering servery backed by a
Fully equipped state-of-the-art professional kitchen
Two-way accessible licensed bar for main hall and reception area

ELECTRONICS AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Individually controlled room sound, hearing aid and lighting systems
Projection and visual aid electronics available
High-speed broadband and Wi-Fi systems
Dedicated Landline for emergency use and non-network communications
Stage lighting and sound facilities installed

INDIVIDUAL MULTI-USE, SELF-CONTAINED PERSONAL TOILET AND GROOMING FACILITIES

User identification signs can be varied to suit the event requirements
Modern toilet and hygiene facilities for disabled people in specially designated locations

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE HEATING AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS INSTALLED THROUGHOUT

DEDICATED AND SECURE PARISH CLERK’S

OFFICE AND VILLAGE RECORD STORAGE

PERMANENT IN-HOUSE EMERGENCY

ELECTRICITY GENERATOR INSTALLED