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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 adult education classes. 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 spiralling running costs of around £25,000 a year are not covered by the income derived from hiring of approximately £21,000 a year. It has proved impossible to meet the shortfall from additional hirers, and our charges, though competitive, cannot be increased further. In recent years great strides have been made, both with increasing the use of the Hall and improving the structure and facilities in the building. 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 local donations, English Heritage, the National Lottery, local councils and a legacy. More recently a grand piano (for the Petworth Festival but available to hirers), theatre lighting controls, a projection screen and an electronic projector, a comprehensive hearing loop system and secondary glazing upstairs have been provided following successful bids to the leisure fund administered by the District Council and generous private gifts. Some of these additional and essential facilities have inevitably added to the running costs of the Hall which unfortunately cannot be met by grant aid.
Two generous donations have provided a small endowment fund for the Hall, but it is not 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 as a fund raising venture has been successful and raises about £1,800 a year.
Meanwhile the Hall’s Trustees would very much like to further improve the lighting and ventilation systems and other facilities in the Hall with the aim of attracting more hirers. Extra income generated by the new Friends scheme will assist the funding of the improvements and also support the maintenance and running costs of the Hall.
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, and would help to keep up the momentum to improve and maintain the Leconfield Hall. Friends of the Hall will receive a voucher for a film show.
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 |
