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THE LECONFIELD HALL PETWORTH |
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Book or contact the Hall c/o Arts, Crafts & Fabrics of Petworth Market Square Petworth West Sussex GU28 0AF
Telephone 01798 344334 Opening hours: 10.00 - 4.30 |
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The Leconfield Hall - Friends Scheme |
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The Leconfield Hall needs FRIENDS
Situated in the Market Square and on the site of a medieval market house, the Leconfield Hall was erected by the third Earl of Egremont in 1793. As a grade II listed building it is a crucial part of Petworth’s heritage. The management of the Hall is entrusted to a committee of trustees and has charitable status recognised by the Charity Commission. The Hall is in constant use for sales, public meetings, concerts and private functions. Licences are held for alcohol, theatre and cinema but the Hall has to meet ever stricter public health and safety conditions.
The problem the management committee has is that running costs of around £25,000 a year are not covered by the income derived from hiring of approximately £18,000 a year. We have done our best to publicise the Hall, through the development of a website, and the periodic publication of a newsletter, and the shortfall is met in part from the Hall film shows and donations. The competitive charges, which are comparable with other local halls, are increased in line with inflation each year. We are doing all we can, but we need more help.
Since 1992 the Hall has been completely transformed. The crumbling exterior stonework was replaced, the fire bells restored to their original position and a clock installed where it had once been, while, inside, a major restoration has taken place. Improvements include the installation of a lift, a lavatory for the disabled, a new kitchen, and upstairs, retractable raked seating. Funding has come from private donations, English Heritage, the National Lottery, local councils and a legacy.
Following the major repairs, a grand piano (for the Petworth Festival but available to hirers), theatre lighting controls, a projection screen, an electronic projector, a comprehensive hearing loop system, secondary glazing upstairs, better heating, a new divider to create a green room, and other works and maintenance, have been funded from generous private gifts and grants from all three local Councils. Some of the additional and essential facilities have inevitably added to the day to day running costs of the Hall which unfortunately cannot be met by grant aid.
Two generous donations in the 1990s provided a small endowment fund for the Hall, but it has not been possible to add to this, or even to provide for replacement of the Hall’s equipment when it wears out. The running of film shows in the Hall has been successful and raises about £1,400 a year. The Hall Friends scheme has also proved a success, raising nearly £1,900 in the past year.
Please will you consider supporting your local Village Hall by becoming a Friend and making an annual donation. The Leconfield Hall is run by the unpaid trustees on a very tight budget with much volunteer help and every penny helps keep up the momentum to improve and maintain the Hall for the many and diverse groups of Petworth people who use it. If just 200 people were to give £10 per year as Friends of the Hall by gift aid, this would raise around £2,500. This is a significant sum to such a small local charity. Friends of the Hall receive a voucher for a film show as a token of our appreciation.
If you are able to make a donation, please will you complete the details on the attached form and return it
to: Mr Tim Wardle Hon. Treasurer, c/o The Estate Office Petworth West Sussex GU28 0DU
Telephone: 01798 342502 E Mail: tim@leconfieldestates.co.uk |
