This new village hall for a small rural community has just been commended in the Maldon District Council Design and Conservation Awards.

The hall was built using lottery funding and local authority grants. 

Inkpen Downie began their work with a detailed feasibility study based on consultations with the community in order to establish the building requirements and support the grant applications.

The success of the project is a testament to the dedication of the Village Hall Committee, who have successfully obtained funding from:

• The Community Fund
• Essex County Council Learning Services
• Maldon District Council Community Services
• Steeple Parish Council
• Shell Better Britain Campaign Community Projects Fund
• Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales
• Essex Environment Trust

This success has been documented as an example of good practice in The Key to Successful Fundraising for Church and Community Projects by Keith Derry. More details about the book in our Library.

The building is built with high quality materials for a long life. Additional security is provided by built-in shutters. The building is fully accessible. 

The Shell Better Britain Campaign funded a solar collector for the roof which is providing free hand-hot water even in winter. The contractors, Haynes and Smith, completed a week early and the building was immediately in use.

Source: Inkpen Downie Library Item

Thermomax DF100 20 tube collector installed on Sarnafil roof. Have the Sarnafil contractor install 50 x 100mm treated timber and re-cover with Sarnafil. Discard stainless steel straps, install L shaped bracket to side of side rail as photo. Coach screw brackets in to treated timber. Install as normal sloping roof installation.

Thermomax DF100 collector manifold with tubes installed, held in by stainless stell clips.

Thermomax DF100 on Sarnafil roof from ground level.