Prince Edward opened Langford Budville’s fantastic new Jubilee Hall on Monday. The village began fundraising for the project almost 30 years ago, so it’s been quite a long wait.
“We were the only village our size in the whole of Somerset without a hall and that was the big factor that persuaded the National Lottery to give us £500,000 towards the building,” said Secretary of the 10-strong fund-raising committee, Margaret Brown.
Everything about the new hall is ambitious. The main hall is nothing short of enormous, big enough to run short-mat bowls explained Margaret. There’s a self-contained meeting room, state-of-the art heating and lighting to minimise energy bills, and a separate cloakroom off the entrance lobby.
“We’re already getting inquiries from groups that want to use the hall for a whole range of activities, from Brownies to line dancing,” said Margaret. “We’ve got two weddings booked in for next year and we had a 50th birthday party even before we’ve properly opened.”
Langford Budville itself raised £120,000 towards the hall, an enormous sum for a community of just 500 people. Margaret’s husband David was one of the original trustees in December 1982. So her family involvement goes back to the earliest days of the project, the team running everything from bingo to fireworks displays to keep the fund slowly rising.
“I still can’t quite believe it’s here and finished,” laughed Margaret. “I’m very protective of the hall. When someone arrived with muddy shoes last week I was rushing around after them with paper towels.”
One of the most attractive aspects of the Jubilee Hall will be the landscaped grounds and car park. Villagers have been signing up to sponsor a tree as part of a scheme to plant 50 native English species around the hall.
Groups wanting to use the Jubilee Hall can contact Margaret on
margaret.jbrown@virginmedia.com
01823 400510