WRITTEN RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS 12 & 13

QUESTION 12:  

Q12 How would the loss of the village hall affect you?

I think it would severely detract from the sense of belonging to a village community.

At the moment it would not affect our family at all, as we do not attend activities that are on offer.  However, it would be a pity to lose it.  I have recently retired and my husband will do so in the next few years, so we would have more time to support activities.

Not particularly, but for the younger people a new building would be very beneficial, particularly sports activities for the younger generation.

Much

I am an 80 year old widow living out of the village so can not do much now but have in my younger days.

From a personal point of view the loss of the village hall in its present position would have a beneficial effect to my wife and myself.  There would be no loud music and associated noise to contend with from some of the late night private functions which can be extremely intrusive.  In addition the instances of anti-social behaviour would reduce and I would not have to clear away rubbish that has been thrown over my fence.  Also I would not be prevented from getting out of my drive from parked cars parked on Guildford Lane now some functions are taking place.

It is at the heart of the village and gives support to anyone who doesn’t have transport to be involved in village activities.

We think it serves the community in many ways, socially, materially and is very convenient for a large number of people.  It is also an amenity which can be used by all.

The activities that exist at present would mainly disband.

It would not (2)  Not at all (1)

It would be sad for me to feel that the village, found by me as, once, a closer knit community, would no longer possess a centre for socializing and where any group could meet and exchange ideas and interests (especially if one is without family.)  In many places, not only villages, people don’t even know their neighbours perhaps more due to persons not choosing, for many reasons (could be jobs!) to stay in a place for more than a few years – very high house prices, especially here, make it very hard for young people to even contemplate putting down roots here.  I’ve found, for my needs, this village, a friendly quiet place where I, hopefully, live a contented life.  (possibly not suitable for persons who wish to take NOISE, BUSTLE AND HASSLE in their everyday lives.

It would be the loss of a focus for the whole village, turning into a much lesser community.  Tied as it is, the village hall still brings people together for functions and events that would not fit in anywhere else and would therefore be lost.  People of all ages in this village benefit greatly from the hall being there, a vital part of this village.

It would not affect me at the present time as I work outside the village full time.  However, when I retire, I would like to take a more active role in village life and the village hall would be the obvious place.

Personally not at all and I would not like it o disappear as a village amenity.

Important focus for community life.

Quite a lot!

I can’t imagine Brant Broughton without the village hall – it is essential as the Church, Post Office, Pub, Shop.

I should miss the social side, coffee mornings, etc.

The village would be more dead that it is now.

The heart of the community will be lost.

Not applicable.

It would only leave the pub as a general meeting place, social rendezvous.

To be honest, very little.

Would be a great loss to village, especially the young and the old and, once, lost, would be gone forever.

I find this question very negative, we should not be contemplating losing the hall, just getting on with building something better on whatever site, to suit most needs for the next 50 years.

Being new to the village personally the village hall has had no relevance top me as yet, but it would be sad to see it go for the village sake.

The loss of the village hall would reduce the opportunities for residents in BB and S to socialize informally.

First time lived in village so don’t feel in position to answer from personal point of view, but feel village hall very important for village community spirit.

Sorry wouldn’t affect me personally as I don’t use the hall, but it would be a real shame to lose it.  Many people use it and it is important to keep a village community. I would be very sorry to lose the existing building for the character it gives to the little green.  I do have to look at it being opposite, which at present, is a comfort and an enjoyable experience.  The social events are happy occasions and part of the atmosphere of the village.

Currently not at all but the effect on the village could only be negative. I/we would therefore strongly support the new village hall project.

It would remove the ability of many activities to be organised in the village.  Result – loss of community in the village which is currently very strong.

We feel it is the focus point of the village.  It gives the village an identity without it people would just mix in groups of friends instead of the village mix.

The current village hall would not affect us.  But for a new village hall, with all the amenities and the other issues addressed in this survey.  Yes this would be a great loss.

I think it is very important to have a village hall where the village can come together as a focal point, important for meeting and getting to know residents of village especially if working out of village during daytime hours.

The centre of the village would be gone.  It is vital for the ‘focus’ of the villagers, it must continue.

None but it would affect the community and I am a part of that.

The hall is still very useful in its present state so its loss would be a great shame.

Would lose old friends, bingo, coffee mornings, social events, picture show, parties, Christmas party, Dr’s surgery.

Not greatly personally but I feel it would be a major loss to the village as a whole.

We would loose the only large base for village events and activities. I would miss these a lot. Losing the village hall permanently would be a disaster for the social fabric of the community. We definitely need one somewhere!

Helping out at Old Friends functions. Sometimes have a stall at coffee mornings. Loss of coffee mornings, jumble sales, markets? Village social events, fun days, private parties, Dr’s surgery, exhibitions.

Further loss of village amenities may make me decide to move.

Every village should have a village hall to keep the community spirit alive.

I feel that the village hall helps to create a sense of community that would be a very sad loss.

As a relative newcomer to the village I have met many villagers through attending social events at the village hall. I think that the village hall helps to bring the village together and therefore has an important role to play in maintaining community spirit.

Meeting place for all village function, especially if a large room is needed. Nowhere else, apart from Church or primary school hall.

We would lose a focal point and sense of community.

Very sorely. As newcomers to the village and Lincs., we have benefited from attending village hall events as a means to meeting people and making friends. As a parent governor/PTA members we would miss having a hall to use for school events in support of the village primary school. As a RAF wife I would miss the social life that centres around the village hall, which is a lifeline for me when my husband is away at war.

Big link missing out of the community spirit. The village hall knits everybody together and welcomes new people into the village.

Loss of social contact with people.

Not us in particular but as we get older we will be more dependent on local activities and facilities.

It would be the end of the Old Friends also the film show.

The loss of the village hall would mean there would be no central meeting place for village activities.

Probably not much at all, but we can see it has great importance for the wider community.

It should be central to every village. A good place to meet and be able to hold functions. We have hired it for kids parties and been to PTA and village events there. If it went there is only the school hall – there are no kitchens which are essential.

Not much, in the way it’s used at present.

Very little as I am losing sight and hearing so cannot now enjoy public functions.

Personally it would not, but it would be a loss to the village.

Too old to be much troubled. I should miss the Dr.

The village line dancing class would have to stop.

It would be a serious loss as it is a community meeting place and essential facility for fund raising and other social activities.

We would lose the focal point of the community and lose several clubs who would have no where to go.

It would be not affect me I think the young ones need it more there doesn’t seem to be nothing for them anymore thank you.

We have used the hall for family parties we would have to go further afield.

It would be a sad loss to the village a meeting place for all.

A village hall is one of the essential features of a village like Brant Broughton – maintained as a central meeting point for all. We have supported numerous events in the past – all well attended – and hope to continue to do so.

A loss of being able to meet friends and make new ones.

Brant Broughton without a village hall would be dead.

It would be a great loss to the village, but I personally enjoy line dancing on a Monday night and help with various functions that go on, but would also be willing to help with other activities if they become available in the new hall.

Foe me personally it would not affect me, but it would be a great loss to the village community and we must work together to prevent it happening.

Personally not much, but it is vital for any proper village to have a decent hall covering a big range of social and other events.

At present, would not greatly affect my family; however a more versatile venue would be most welcome and would very likely be used by us to a greater degree.

Little personal effect as current activities would be held elsewhere, but would regret loss of village amenity.

It would not affect us in particular but the village really needs a village hall to give the community somewhere to go.

Would miss social functions to mix with the village people.

The village hall is the heart of the community, we would be very sad to see it go.

It would be the death of the village community as there would be no place for communal village gatherings. We would struggle to know other villagers as village gatherings are a great way to meet other people.

Although we don’t use the hall as much now, we support a new hall as a necessary venue for village activities and meetings.

Q 13: Any other comments.

I think it is very important that the future generations of Brant Broughton residents have a venue around which the above mentioned community spirit may be cultivated and maintained.

It was difficult to decide on Q7.  We could seen valid arguments of both sites: Village Green. for 1. Central to the village and 2.  Easy pedestrian access for residents. 3.  Less likelihood of vandalism. Against: 1. Limited parking space 2. Noise from functions.  Playing Field for 1. More room for larger building 2. Space for parking 3. Minimal disturbance to residents from noise.  Against. 1. Older residents need to walk further 2. More likely target for vandals 3 what would happen to the sports pavilion?

In a village you need a good community spirit.  Have we got this in Broughton?  You need a good team to organize activities and team of workers to run the job.

I, in common with a number of people, I consider that the village hall should not be on the village green but should be on the playing field where it could be linked with other facilities.  This location would be less intrusive to residential properties and would enable the village hall to increase its range of activities without causing any disturbance.  There is ample room for car parking and it might be possible to attract more funding in this location.  Since there is no layout attached for the village hall and its siting, I cannot comment in detail.  However, being one of the persons most affected if it is to be built on the village green I have a number of concerns to express.  The matter of parking could be a contentious issue because if it is the intention to extend the range of activities this, presumably, will result in the need for a large car park such as that provided for the village hall at Leasingham and Leadenham.  This would result in the virtual loss of the village green which is an amenity for all the villagers., It could also cause problems to the adjoining residents with noise and other activities that could take place on the car park when not in use.

I can see the advantages of having the village hall on the playing field as the car parking would be better accommodated.  However, I think it is more important that it stays on its present site to stay accessible to the more senior residents and for security.

We are still lucky to have the Church, Post Office, and Pub (which after many ups and downs and closings) seems to be flourishing due to the efforts of the owner and Mr Bradley’s, the Butcher and General Store (Who helps those like me who are less able to shop in the towns).  When we nearly lost the Post Office, it was obvious that “IF YOU DON’T USE IT, YOU LOSE IT” ! Is there going to be enough people willing to take interest and part in USING A NEW VILLAGE HALL – I hope there are!

As above but I think for the young and the elderly and anyone else who spends more time in the village, a focal point is essential and therefore a village hall is necessary.

A new village hall would be much better placed on the Playing Field along side the other facilities that are already there, including a car park, children’s play area, football etc.  It would also keep the traffic away from the main part of the village.

I haven’t commented on the range of activities as currently I work full time and so days and evenings are taken care of. When I was at home with small children I attended many activities and also helped to run a village Youth Club in the village hall.  I very much hope the facility will be there for the benefit of local people and be available for me to use in my retirement!

Good luck!

Over the years myself and family have used the village hall 2 x 21st parties, 1 wedding reception, plus many other parties for family and friends.

I would like the casual parking on the green to remain as it is and not have hard-standing car park built.  I do not feel that the hall needs to be any bigger but maybe a slightly different shape.  Outside of new village hall should be appropriate to the surroundings.

Whilst we have the Heritage Centre I think most people prefer to use it for small group meetings, crafts, etc.  However, a modest village hall for large events is necessary.  Please bear in mind that people will not pay high rental charges.

Hope any new building would be in keeping with the village as a whole ie the building should not look too modern and out of place.  There are some “planning nightmares” out there!!

The village would lose a valuable meeting place large enough to house a large percentage of villages for social/fundraising events if the village were to not replace the present village hall.

It has taken me a long time to complete this form as a lot of it does not affect me –or the family, but having a young family it will in the future.

New to village and have been generously welcomed.  Very friendly community and I feel that this is mainly to do with the whole community spirit, the centre of which is the village hall and pub.  Need that central place for communication.  Very important.

Perhaps a new village hall built hopefully on the existing green, will be ale to offer; more stimulating activities – let’s really make it work! And want people of the village to want to join in – creating incentives and inspiration to the village of BB.  I also consider it would be subject o increased vandalism if the village hall was situated on the playing field – out of sight!

We are new to the village, but out immediate feelings are that is a very special village with a strong community spirit, and very sociable – everything must be done to keep this in place or the village just becomes like so many other “dead” commuter villages.

Recently retired from building etc we now have more time for village activities.  Looking forward to being more involved.

All villagers should be addressed of all upcoming meetings to see how many would come to see a physical presence.  To show a real interest in a new village hall.

Better facilities and organised events can only lead to a stronger or better community spirit which is something that is disappearing from society.

Hall needs to be central to the village for all groups of peoples use.  It needs to be “inclusive”, accessible to all ages.  I feel it would not be so if building on the playing field.  2. Building needs to be sympathetically built to suit its surroundings green/grassed area to remain not tarmac etc.  People with transport are able to go anywhere, people who are not so independent need hall to be central.

I would like to see plans of proposals for building and car park and further consultation when this is in place. (Before any grant application is made). Any loss of facilities in the village is to be avoided. What about incorporating existing pavilion with new village hall. More flexibility with playing field site – eg parking, play area, sporting activities etc. Existing village hall can be retained and used whilst new v.hall is constructed.

We think the village hall would be better on the playing field because at least it would be off of the road and there is somewhere to park which must be safer for the children.

Any new structure should be both aesthetically pleasing and versatile. Appealing to a wide variety of ‘private function’ uses ie. Weddings, parties etc would go a long way to making such a project self sufficient and indeed to contribute to other community ventures. This appeal and project has the whole hearted support of my family and myself.

Would like to see a youth club and facilities for the village youngsters. Don’t like interruptions and intrusions on bingo night and private parties from other users (ie the committee members).

We enjoyed the last vintage car/motor cycles on show. Building the new hall at the playing field would be too far away for the elderly and people with push chairs etc. Good luck.

The central location of the hall on the village green makes it easily accessible for most people and probably more protected from vandalism than if it was on the edge of the village.

The central setting is ideal for many village events, especially the fun day. It would be a good idea if a small section of land behind the almshouses could be leased/bought and surfaced for use as a car park (this field itself is an amenity used on fun days).

I would like the new village hall to be a similar size to the existing one as a bigger one would be out of proportion with the size of the village and its needs.

I think it would be a good idea for smaller groups wanting to start up (ie flower arranging or crafts) to only have to pay a nominal sum as the rates may exclude smaller groups from usage due to not being able to meet the cost.

The existing village hall site is not large enough to build a new hall and allow for adequate parking, therefore I feel the new hall should be built at the playing field where there is ample room for parking and any expansion that may be needed in the future. Also, the green is too nice to be dug up and spoilt with a larger building and a parking area.

Present Site For: In walking distance for almost everyone Against: Noise for residents nearby
Playing Field Site For: Better for parking. Use by football and cricket clubs, etc. Easier to make tea, food for events. Noise would affect fewer people. Against: Further for residents without transport. Vandals!

We would like to see the village hall used more for functions as they form an important social function for the village and provide the opportunities to socialise with other villagers that we would not otherwise meet.

The village community is thriving. That’s one of the things that attracts new people to the village. The village hall is at the heart of Brant Broughton, bringing together young and old for fun, for vital services (doctor) and for charity fund-raising. The village community is a friendly caring one; and the hall at its centre helps everyone feel like they belong.

It would be a shame to loose any ???? from the existing hall, ie turning the rest of the green into a car park – so disabled usage only if possible!

It is important that if an organisation has booked the large hall that other groups (eg village hall committee/parish council) do not interrupt that organisation’s booking by walking through to the small room. This practice is causing deep annoyance and resentment and the village is in immanent danger of losing the bingo sessions. Also, it is strongly unfair to allow workmen in during film shows.

It would be better if the committee didn’t hold meetings the same night as Bingo. It does spoil the evening and there’s always a lot of complaints.

Caythorpe GPs no longer have a surgery in the village hall it would be good to have it reinstated. Local Authority evening classes eg languages could be offered. I am unsure what community role the heritage centre plays and to what degree there is an overlap between that and the village hall. If more activities take place in the hall will the HC be adversely affected and would we risk losing the centre?

As a village we are very fortunate to have a lovely village green. The new hall must not Have a concrete, tarmac or brick paved car park. The grass feature needs to be retained.

If a new village hall is built I do hope it will be well thought out and as vandal-proof as possible – with good secure storage so that it is not easily robbed.

Is it possible to build where the old village hall is situated. I understand that this is common land.

If new village hall was built on playing field, then building would be subject to vandalism and misuse and the location on the edge of the village would not be convenient for many residents.

The children’s play equipment would ideally re-locate to the village green should the hall be built on the playing field. Parents would use it more as it would be central and safer for children of all ages.

Don’t forget disabled people.

It would be better to have the hall on the green, it is too far to the playing field for older people and quite a walk if you don’t want to drive after a drink. There needs to be more for the young people in the village.

I would like the village hall to remain on the village green as it is central to all. Easy to see the doctor in the village. Older people probably would think twice before walking to the playing field, also it would be easier to vandalise on the playing field. We need to keep it central.

Maintain the village green – no dedicated parking area – car park would detract from the overall ‘village’ look. Careful consideration to the outside appearance of the hall to blend with the present environment. Some village halls in the area are just ‘brick blocks’

The new village hall would be better situated on the playing field as there is more room there and already parking facilities, also noise from the village hall would not annoy surrounding houses. But at the same time, the village green still needs to be the centre piece of the village.

The danger of a hall that is too large and grand is that the running expenses make it costly to hire. I would urge that a new hall should not be very large and should have one or more small rooms that can be let reasonably.