Why 2029? The lease is up
The original village hall was opened in January 1927. In 1930 a 99 year lease was agreed. This expires at the end of March 2029. There will have been a village hall here on site for 102 years.
The current landowner seems not inclined to agree to extend or renew the lease. So it appears that by the end of March 2029 Eaton Constantine will no longer have a Village Hall.
Eaton Constantine Village Hall (Reg No 1208505) is a charity serving the community. If the hall closes the charity can continue and use other buildings, old or new.
Can the village hall be protected? Or moved?
We don’t think so. If adopted as a community asset the landlord could offer it for sale to the trustees at a market price. But would the trustees want to purchase a worn out building losing money, insufficiently supported, with no car parking?
The hall has been on site for nearly 55 years and as a World War 2 military hut may be 80 years old. It has an asbestos roof which is fine if left alone. And where could it go?
Can the village have another village hall?
A new hall would require a lot of fund raising and possibly major parish rate increases. It would require a central site and infrastructure connections. It could be more energy efficient but it would have to be used much more and not left as the responsibility of a few aging trustees.
Whilst we might all like one, the village hall is no longer the heart of the community and is infrequently used. With the cost of insurance, electricity, water rates etc, and ever increasing regulations to meet, the hall loses hundreds of pounds most years. There are other village halls, pubs, market towns and major centres within a few miles. Local hiring of our village hall has reduced over the years and it’s really the community’s hall.
Come to the AGM at the Village Hall on 8th June 7pm to hear more and comment
If you’d like to stand as a charity trustee of the village hall please let Sheila know by 24th May.
Let’s make good use of our village hall whilst we have it. For community and for private hire. Check the Under the Wrekin calendar for events.
Geoff Dawes 01952 510309, Sheila Woodfield 01952 510566 gmdawes@btinternet.com, or ecvh@btinternet.com
facebook Eaton Constantine Village Hall
website e-voice.org. uk/ecvh/
May 2026
A longer version of this note will be published in the June/July edition of Under the Wrekin