HAXEY MEMORIAL HALL
Chairman’s Report 2023
Another year draws to a close and once again I would like to thank all members of the committee and for their continued and valued support. In addition thanks go to Joanne and to Anne for keeping the hall clean and tidy for all hall users, (and to Joanne for technological skills!)
So what have we achieved this year? Well quite a lot! In terms of repairs and maintenance , we finally managed to purchase new doors for the library and the kitchen and these have recently been fitted. There is some remedial work to be done as a consequence and this is due to be completed soon, hopefully! There is also some re-plastering work which needs doing in the Jubilee Room and toilet corridor and it is planned to include this along with the other plastering jobs around the new doors. Once the plastering has been done, we intend to carry out some much needed decorating. The strips on the front steps of the hall have been repainted to comply with Health and Safety regulations and, as always with an aging building, there have been a few additional minor repair jobs. We have once again looked at better insulation in the main hall ceiling (thank you Pete) but concluded that this is currently both impractical and very expensive. We hope we have also now sorted out some glitches with energy storage from our solar panels.
Main purchases this year include a new cooker as the old one was proving unreliable, some additional fencing and a gate at the back of Preschool (grateful thanks to the Isle of Axholme Lions for a contribution to the cost) and new curtain tracking in the main hall. The Hub has finally cleared the area between it and the Jubilee Room, which has been a great improvement and work is ongoing to tidy up the garden on our side. A new fence has been erected along the boundary and the PCC has generously offered to fund half the cost.
The highlight of the year I think we would all agree was the planning, script writing, production and staging of the panto “Jack and the Beanstalk” in December which was a resounding success. It was a great community effort, a sell out for all performances and raised funds for the hall. A massive thank you to all involved for their hard work and we look forward to this year’s production which I understand is already underway! The enthusiastic organisers have also helped swell our coffers by staging a couple of very well supported music nights in the hall.
Although income and expenditure has been a bit up and down throughout the year, lettings are gradually beginning to increase following enforced closure during the Covid pandemic and luckily the hall remains in a stable financial position. Alongside funds from the pantomime and music nights, we were fortunate to receive a legacy from the late Terry Weaver, regular substantial sums from our supper quizzes (thanks Gwen and Joan for keeping these going) and smaller donations from the Fish and Chip van, Bingo and Amazon Smile.
So all in all a good year and if I have forgotten anything, please forgive me!
We look forward then to the team – our committee – working together to make next year equally positive. I really appreciate everyone giving freely of their time to ensure that our hall is well looked after, well used and can continue to provide a focal point for our community – thank you!