A WEEK OF DISRUPTION FRIDAY 3rd MAY TO MON 13th MAY
On the 2nd May 2024 we will become a Polling Station again and so access will be available from 07:00 to 22:00hrs as expected. Other activities will continue as normal.
After that we will be carrying out works in the lobby area which will disrupt access through the main entrance - unless in an emergency.
HALL ACTIVITIES
The main hall and small hall doors will be open for classes and events in each of those rooms only.
CONFERENCE ROOMS & OFFICES
Upstairs classes will either be transferred to the small hall or we have to assume that access will be via the external staircase or via the library emergency entrance only.
THERE WILL BE NO LIFT ACCESS TO THE FIRST FLOOR
For this reason, Citizens Advice, DIAL and The Community Fridge have all been cancelled for the duration.
CAFE
The cafe will be closed for the one week.
NURSERY
Unaffected
CAR PARK
Car park repairs will also be carried out this week as we expect numbers of visitors to be lower than normal
AS WITH ALL RERURBISHMENT WORKS, SCHEDULES MAY NEED TO BE ADJUSTED AS CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE - BUT THIS IS OUR BEST ESTIMATE AT THIS TIME.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
This is the latest update video for weeks 7 and 8.
WEEK 6 UPDATE VIDEO
It's 'Murphy's Law' that the week we disconnect the main boiler, the outside temperature drops to below the seasonal average. So if you're visiting the hall - dress up warm.
And the rain is still affecting the flat roof works. But apart from that all is well
WEEK 5 UPDATE VIDEO
We are now effectively a quarter of the way through the allowed 20 week refurbishment programme. Some areas are a little ahead of schedule and some are being delayed due to the weather.
But we're not worried yet!
WEEK 4 UPDATE VIDEO
Unfortunately we have had to combine week 3 and week 4 update videos due to unforeseen circumstances.
SORRY FOR THE DELAY - WEEK 2 VIDEO
WEEK 1 UPDATE - 4th - 10th MARCH 2024
A week of preparation, surveying and very little disruption. to anyone this week.
WEEK 16
If we thought week 15 was frustrating, this week has been even worse as we are so close to finishing.
There appears to be just a hold up on the stage speakers that are on back-order that will then allow the stage team to finish off.
Never mind, it has also enabled us to look at the next project and at other possible routes of funding.
It has still been a good weekend of fun and festivity for some.
START OF WEEK 15 - FRUSTRATION
ALSO NO POP-IN CLUB THIS FRIDAY - PRIVATE FUNCTION
We are now awaiting the delivery of the stage curtains as well as a pair of speakers (on back order) and the main fuse board fuse to drive the lights and sound system.
Assuming that these matters go according to plan, the light and sound should be ready to preview at the Ilesha Choir Concert on the 7th July.
Tickets for this concert are available in reception
START OF WEEK 14 - AND TODDLER GROUP TO RESUME
We are now on the final stages (literally) of the National Lottery Community Fund project and (as you'll see from the video) it is looking good.
The Toddler group will be reopened but there may be some intricate works carried out (wiring up of lights etc.) still. As such, one end of the hall will be segregated off as the stage worker engineers are only working part time.
END OF WEEK TWELVE
Okay, so we had a week out to allow for any last minute snagging before moving onto the floor - which is phase two of the programme.
The wedding on the 28th May was a major success. We even managed to colour coordinate the walls with the bridesmaids dress as well as the groom and best man's ties - sage green.
Obviously, we can't promise to do that for every wedding as we'd eventually run out of room with each extra layer of paint added, but it worked well for this one.
Next week (Tuesday 13th June) we have had confirmation that the staging will be started and we are anticipating a final completion w/c 19th June 2023.
We have said all the way through that we aimed to finish mid to late June so a big thank you to all the parties involved.
END OF WEEK TEN
So we made it to the end of phase one - just about in one piece.
We were still plumbing in the last of the bar appliances as we hosted our first pop-in club of this new era.
More importantly the room is now all set up for the wedding that everything has been worked around. The booking start time is now (4pm) as this post has been scheduled to coincide with it.
So, fingers crossed, all will go well for the newly wedded couple as we work to make the party a great success.
We now have a week off before the floor gets stripped back, stained and re-varnished.
END OF WEEK EIGHT
This week it is all down to attention to detail and making good the finishing touches. There is a slight overrun on some of the projects but this had been anticipated and allowed for from the outset.
As such, we are still well within our ten week shutdown period, as planned, and look set for hand over back to the hall, hopefully, by the end of next week.
END OF WEEK SEVEN
It's all down to the painting and the ancillary items such as radiators, wall lights and internal and external doors now as we move onto the final phase of the construction works.
Once this has been completed we will arrange for the floors to be sanded back, varnished and resealed which will then give us the capability to have the free standing stage, curtain, stage lighting and sound systems booked for mid to late June.
END OF WEEK FIVE - MID POINT
Still slightly ahead of schedule and things are starting to look good. We made a decision on the lights which will make major savings over the coming years as we move to LED and away from the 250w bulbs (all 26 of them).
The bar shutter has now been removed and the ceiling is being skimmed. This week we also confirmed the colours which will be a changed to the old hall - but reflect the corporate theme.
Mapplewell Refurbishment wc 10-04-2023
END OF WEEK FOUR
As you will see, they are now at the difficult stage of boarding out the hall ready to plaster. They worked through the Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday to stay on track. With the plasterboards and the insulation, it is hoped that this will go someway to lowering heat loss and also reduce some of the echo in the hall.
DO YOU RECOGNISE THIS VEHICLE?
First of all, let's not jump to conclusions - it could be legit!
The owner of this vehicle appears to have taken it upon himself to drop his litter into our bins at the Village Hall on Saturday the 8th April at 11:35 (the video clock is out of synch).
We have posted notices on the bins stating that 'fly tippers' will be prosecuted so surely it can't be that as no one would be that stupid. This sign is clearly seen in the video.
The police did call around following the last incident and asked us to report any future potential 'fly-tipping' experiences as we may not be the first victims of these people. We will do this shortly if we cannot get an answer as to how they're involved with the hall and they have a legitimate reason for 'tipping' - but we don't want to unnecessarily waste their time.
With four cameras on the front and side of the building we have clear visual recordings of his number plate, his face, the bags being deposited and even the 'prosecution signs' that he must have thought were not applicable to him.
We have not shown his number plate clearly - as yet - as we stated, he may be 'innocent until proven guilty' and we give him the opportunity to clarify this first. However, we do have his number in glorious technicolour
The sad part of all this, is we have to pay over £160 a month to have our own business waste removed which comes straight out of the Charity's bottom line. Why should we pay for his rubbish as well.
END OF WEEK THREE - ISH
Okay, so it is a short week this week but good, steady progress has been made with the Village Hall refurbishment, despite last week's set back of having to replace the ceiling.
Work will continue over the two bank holiday days and so we hope to see good progress when we film again next Tuesday for that week's update.
You will see that the 'boarding out' has successfully retained the arch of the roof and with the insulation (there was none prior to this), it is hoped that not only will we save on energy bills, but the acoustics of the room will become less of an 'echo chamber'.
HALL REFURBISHMENT UPDATE
So that is the end of week two of the 10 week refurbishment programme. Despite a major set back on costs and additional workload, as you'll see in the video. The good new is that the contractors are still slightly ahead of schedule, the cables are in place for the sound and stage lighting and this coming week, things will start to be put back together.
Watch out for next week's review
LAST FEW SEATS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA
Friday 23rd December 2022
Noon - 3:00pm
£5:00 Contribution
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have now got 24 seats (3 tables) available for our festive food 'pop-in' social club.
Open to anyone young and old, this event includes a festive afternoon tea, drinks and entertainment, with bingo, raffles and other merriments to make it a good social afternoon out.
The buffet has been partially funded by the Darton East Ward Alliance for up to 120 people with the £5:00 balance being made up from contributions by the people attending. Our usual £3:00 entry fee has been waivered.
Four games of bingo will cost £5:00 with cash prizes to be won for a line and a full house on each and there will be two raffles running - the first is for a hand crafted quilt donated by one of the Trustees valued at around £300 (these tickets are on general sale now) and the second raffle will be for 'Christmas Themed' prizes.
Seating tickets can be purchased through the admin office up until 5pm on Tuesday prior to the event.
This is our first Christmas event since 2019 - for obvious reasons - so let's take the opportunity to celebrate and not take our freedom for granted.
