New Village Hall Historical Background
Timeline of Events involved in building New Kentford and Kennett Village Hall
Kentford and Kennett Village Hall Cross-border relations is something that many would advocate, and nowhere is there a clearer example than in the villages of Kentford and Kennett where residents of both communities have combined to complete an ambitious project to install a new Village Hall amenity adjacent to the existing Pavilion.
Although the locations are only a stone’s throw away from one-another, technically they sit within the separate counties of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire respectively, but that hasn’t caused any disruption. Eight-months since the project physically commenced and the Village Hall in all its splendour was revealed to the public. This sustainable development clearly reflects the close relations of the two villages, maintaining much of the rich heritage that exists. The premises in size is suitable for approximately 100 people at any one time, with new meeting rooms, kitchen, bar and garden facilities for residents to congregate and socialise at their leisure.
It is anticipated that the site will be utilised by up to 130 visitors per week, including dancing groups, karate and table tennis clubs, Newmarket band, village schools, as well as other organised public occasions.
The project in its entirety is valued at approximately £383,645 and owes largely to four main contributors. The two Parish Councils, a ‘Section 106’, a ECD’ Facilities Improvement Grant as well as £35,000 offered by local construction business the Mick George Group, who have a site just north of the village.The concept of a new Village Hall is something that has been a-long-time coming. Initial discussions back in 2006 were deferred, however, the topic reared its head once again in 2013. This time with more success, as ‘Section 106’ funding was offered from the Contractor associated with the development on Farrier’s Grange.From here; backed by the respective district councils of East Cambridge (ECDC) and Forest Health (FHDC), the Kentford and Kennett Village Hall and Maclaren Fields Association was established.
During the prevailing Feb 2014 – Mar 2017 period, a series of consultations, feasibility studies, tender processes, planning permissions, and Architect and Contractor selections were made, ready for the project to finally commence in April 2017.R.C Swanson (MBE), Village Hall Chairman Said: ‘’We have managed to form a Hall’ which all involved are enormously pleased with, and exactly as we imagined at the planning stage. We feel very privileged to have received such a generous grant considering the request fell outside the normal criteria boundaries, and will feel eternally indebted to the Mick George Community Fund.’’Jon Stump, Joint CEP at the Mick George Group commented: ‘’This has been a considerable project that all connected with, should be very proud of. For what has been a volunteer-led development, the attention to detail has been tremendous and that is evidenced in the outcome.‘’Stump continued: ‘‘It is rare that as a business we engage in funding with multiple parties, but in this instance we recognised the need for our assistance. We’re extremely pleased to have been involved and hope the local residents can enjoy the facilities for years to come.’’
Detailed steps in the project
28 October 2013 – With the offer of Section 106 funding from a local development project in Farrier’s Grange, a new Village Hall Project Team was set up which consisted of the Kentford and Kennett Village Hall and MacLaren Playing Fields Association and both Parish Councils from Kentford and Kennett. It was very comprehensively supported by Forest Heath District Council (FHDC) and East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) to facilitate the process of reaching a difficult decision on a Community Facility which straddled two Counties.
1 February 2014 – Community Event held to establish the needs of the villagers and the potential requirements of a Village Hall to meet those needs. There was a good turnout for the event (50+) from both villages. The key aspects that emerged from that event was that there was enthusiasm for the project and that any building should be able to hold functions of up to 100 people and be a sustainable development.
17 September 2014 – Following a Feasibility Study conducted by an independent Surveyor, the Village Hall Project Team decided to extend the existing pavilion within the S106 budget subject to consultation at the next community event. They agreed to provide a village hall which would meet the views of residents at the 1st Feb 14 community lunch and be capable of generating a sustainable business case. In addition, the two Parish Councils agreed to put 5% of their precepts to support the facilities.
3 October 2014 – Community event held and stressed there was a need for the communities to own the project and for volunteers to offer assistance to build and run it. The following specific proposal was then put to the community and unanimously agreed: “That the S106 money be used towards upgrading the Pavilion on the playing fields to meet the needs that the community had expressed on the 1st Feb 14 (this excluded a badminton size hall because an estimate for that sort of facility significantly exceeded the funding available).”
1 July 2015 – Appointed KJ Architects Ltd to design the new Village Hall. 16 February 2016 – Planning Permission received to build the new Kentford and Kennett Village Hall beside the existing Pavilion. It is expected to start building the new facility late 2016/early 2017 and it should not take longer than 5 – 6 months to construct. 17 March 2017 - Application for Tender to build the New Village Hall received. 30 March 2017 - The Contractor selected to build the new Kentford and Kennett Village Hall is Godfrey and Hicks of Snailwell. They had also built the Moulton Village Hall. 24 April 2017 - Start date. Some photographs are included at various stages of the build below.
30 November 2017 - Village Hall completed and handed over.
09 December 2017 - "Soft" Opening of Village Hall 2 June 2018 - Formal Opening of Village Hall
