Full demolition was completed this week. She was gone in the space of only a few hours! All waste material has been expertly removed by Dunbar Plant, and we now have a clean, flat space to start building in the new year! The playground is inaccessible at the moment, but will be opened up as much as work allows.
Author: gareth
Hall Build – Week 01
Demolition of the old hall has begun! The Ridge have done their “soft strip” this week, meaning that everything that is to kept for reuse has been carefully removed, including the floor!
Committee meeting, November 4th 2025
Highlights: Agreed to buy a storage container to hold contents of the old hall through the build. This will be stored at Ferneylea to save space and damage to the green. Conversations with ELC ongoing regarding the playground equipment. Some can be moved and reused, but not all. Committee agreed to continue funding the good work done by Oldhamstocks For Nature.
New hall talk from The Ridge Foundations
As part of our farewell party for the old village hall, Gordon, from the The Ridge Foundations, came to chat to us about their approach to taking on the build of the new hall.
Old hall farewell party!
With the build of the new hall rapidly approaching, time has finally run out for the old hall that has served so many people so well for so long. For some 70 years, the old military shed has hosted pub quizzes, weddings, flower shows, and lots more.
We needed to send her off with a celebration, so today, the community gathered there for one last time. With tables laden with home baking, and a fridge full of champagne, we raised a final toast to the old girl in glorious sunshine!
Committee meeting, October 5th 2025
Highlights: Land purchase finally complete! Discussions with CWPEnergy on monies available immediately and in future. Farewell event for the old hall being planned.
Committee meeting, September 28th 2025
Highlights: The Ridge returned a second revision of costing details for the hall build. Pressing for final closure of the land purchase. Village hall requires a postal address for SPEN to disconnect the power! Planning for a farewell event for the old village hall.
Committee meeting, September 21st 2025
Highlights: Seeking final written funding agreement from CWP Energy. Unfortunately, the CARES funding for our renewables is no longer available, thanks to a change of government policy. Final project costs including all areas of spending has been totalled up.
Committee meeting, September 14th 2025
Highlights: OCA meetings are moving from monthly to weekly during the most intensive period of work towards the new hall. Final funding discussions are under way with CWP Energy. Land purchase is now all but complete – monies are being transferred to our solicitor to make payments. Stage 2 of hall cost refinements with The Ridge is underway.
Committee meeting, September 2nd 2025
Highlights: Defibrillator on the village hall has been provided with new paddles and is back in service. Bus stop has been agreed to be replaced by ELC with something in keeping and more accessible. After all tender responses for the hall have been received and reviewed, The Ridge Foundation is tentatively selected as our preferred contractor for the build!