Bramham Village Hall
Church Hill, Bramham, Wetherby LS23 6QF
BRAMHAM VILLAGE HALL
Bramham is very fortunate to have such a spectacular Village Hall which is situated in a conservation area right in the heart of the village next to All Saints’ Church. It is within easy access and walking distance from all parts of the village and is considered by many as a focal point of the community. The Hall has a licence for bars and entertainment and regularly holds a variety of events such as music nights, theatrical productions, community groups, meetings and a range of classes, including fitness. It is also available for hire for private parties, commercial events and fund raising events. Among the benefits the hall has to offer are:
- Main Hall (14 m by 10.2 m) has an impressive wooden parquet flooring suitable for fitness activities and dancing
- A separate carpeted room for smaller events and meetings (7.6 m by 5.9 m)
- Stage available for live bands and shows
- Some sound and lighting equipment is available for all kinds of events and can be organised when making a booking
- Licensed bar can be provided including extensions to the licence (operated by Bramham Community Action Group)
- Music license to 11pm
- Fully functional kitchen equipped with an impressive range of cutlery, glassware, crockery and large scale catering equipment to suit most functions
- Newly fitted modern toilets including disabled toilet with baby changing facilities
- Disabled access and hearing loop
- Car park
Bramham Village Hall has its own website with an online booking facility. Please check out hallbookingonline.com/bramham for further information and to make a booking. For any specific booking queries, special event or full weekend booking, email the Bookings Secretary at bramhamvillagehallbookings@gmail.com or call 07398 244634. For all other general enquiries please contact the Village Hall Secretary at bramhamvh@outlook.com .
HISTORY
Bramham Village Hall has its origins back in 1907 when a plot consisting of “two messuages with barn, stables, outbuildings and gardens” close to the church in the centre of the village, came onto the market. A parish room had long been wanted by the residents of the village. It was proposed by Rt. Hon J L Wharton MP of Bramham Old Hall that this site be purchased by the village. A gala in the grounds of Bramham Lodge raised £180 which formed a basis for the project. A purchase price was agreed and a deposit paid to secure withdrawal of the site from auction and fundraising began to find the balance by holding fetes, bazaars, jumble sales etc and eventually the purchase price of £305 was paid in full on 7th April 1908.
A committee was formed, an architect appointed and plans drawn to transform the site into a “commodious Parish room and Institute” at a further cost of £800. The committee canvassed the village for subscriptions and building work began late in 1909. Throughout 1910 there was the odd occasional letting of a small room during the chaos of building works. Garden parties, jumble sales & further subscriptions added to funds until the first true letting of the new Parish Room on 11 January 1911, which was a Cricket Club Ball. The Parish Room took off as the focus of village life, as it still remains today.
The hall has had its ups and downs since then, and suffered a devastating fire which required major rebuilding in the 1940s, with addition of kitchen and toilets. The small ‘supper’ room was added in the 1960’s. The hall was refurbished in the 2010’s, courtesy of the community fund and fund raising, and now boasts a wide range of much improved facilities. These include a new kitchen, new toilets, new bar area, new electrics and heating, new lighting in the main hall, the small room and on stage, as well as a hearing loop and DDA compliant facilities for the disabled.
MANAGEMENT
The Village Hall’s founding document carefully separates the function of management of the premises from the ownership of the freehold. The Management Committee has a very broad remit to manage the affairs of the Village Hall and seeks a fresh remit at the AGM. The Village Hall was registered with the Charity Commission under the terms of the Recreational Charities Act 1958, and the officers of the Management Committee are listed as the Charitable Trustees.
A separate body of Custodial ‘Trustees’ takes no part in the management and running of the premises, but is the guardian or custodian of the freehold of the Village Hall. It is a self perpetuating body in accordance with various Charitable Acts 1853 to 1925, and holds title to premises.
‘Upon Trust… to sell confer absolutely dispose all or any part….provided always …. That no such sale shall be made so long as the said premises shall be used or occupied for the purpose of the said Parish Room and Institute.’
There were also 2 cottages that belonged to the Village Hall Trust. One (Cosy Cottage), is still owned by the Trust and after refurbishment has been rented out to help generate funds for the upkeep of the Hall. The second cottage was sold some years ago and is privately owned.
The Management Committee look after the day-to-day running of the hall and all finances. It is a well equipped hall to be very proud of, but as the building is over 100 years old, there is an ongoing programme of maintenance, repair and upgrade.
There are currently 8 members of the Committee who give their time voluntarily and work tirelessly to maintain the hall and organise events to generate funds for the running costs. More volunteers are always welcome… if you are interested in getting involved please speak to any member of the Management Committee or email the Secretary at bramhamvh@outlook.com .
FUND RAISING
A wide range of clubs and organisations hire the Hall on a regular basis and the Village Hall often hosts our own events such as Mums and Tots Group and the Bramham Community Christmas Lunch. Many are local, which means that it is convenient for residents of the village to attend a group, club or fitness class or an evening event or celebration that is within easy walking distance of their home.
In addition to the regulars who make use of the hall, the Hall is frequently hired out for special events to help raise further funds. This all brings income into the hall to help cover the running costs. We also operate the ‘100 club’ which costs £10 per number, per year, and is drawn annually. 50% of the subscriptions are given out in prize money, the remainder is used for the general upkeep of the hall. If you would like to join the ‘100 club’, please email bramhamvh@outlook.com or phone 07398244634).
BOOKING AND HIRE CHARGES
The Committee’s aim is to ensure the Village Hall remains available to the residents of Bramham and local groups at affordable rates. Please refer to hallbookingonline.com/bramham for the latest information, to search for available dates and to make a booking. The booking charges for 2020-21 are:
Main Hall – £12 per hour
Small Room – £8 per hour
Entire Hall – £18 per hour
Fri/Sat Night – £120 (5pm – Midnight) A refundable bond may be required.
Children’s Party Package Rate – £40 for 3 hours (Entire Hall 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm Saturday/ Sunday and weekdays during school holidays) Subject to availability. A refundable bond may be required.
Special Events/Weddings/Full Weekend Hire – Price on application by email to the Bookings Secretary and subject to approval from the Management Committee. A refundable bond may be required.
CONTACTS
For any specific booking queries about conditions of hire, problems making an online booking, or to arrange a special event or full weekend booking, email the Bookings Secretary at bramhamvillagehallbookings@gmail.com or call 07398 244634. For all other general enquiries please contact the Village Hall Secretary at bramhamvh@outlook.com .
