Henleaze church appeals to community to help fund refurbishment of hall

St Peter’s Church at Henleaze has launched a £350,000 project to refurbish its hall.

Currently the hall is regularly used by 25 different groups, and more than 800 people come through its doors in an average week.

Church officials say there is a pressing need to install 21st century facilities into the hall, which dates from 1937.

The entrance lobby will be changed to provide direct separate access to the main hall, the lesser hall, improved toilets and a new informal meeting room.

This new room will be 20 per cent larger than the present club room and will be a light and airy meeting space for groups of up to 20 people.

The lesser hall will be slightly enlarged at its eastern end and the sound-proofing will be improved. New storage facilities will also be provided.

The kitchen will be rekitted to catering for meals for up to 100 people. And toilet facilities will be rebuilt and modernised, including an accessible toilet for disabled people.

The cost of providing ‘A Hall for All’ is expected to be in the region of £350,000, but £50,000 has already been raised.

Officials are inviting personal donations from people connected with St Peter’s and from those who belong, or have previously belonged, to organisations that meet in the hall.

They are also applying for grants from appropriate bodies, and planning fundraising events in which the people of Henleaze and the wider community can join.

You can download a donation form from the church’s website at www.stpetershenleaze.org

The Rev Canon Mark Pilgrim, vicar of St Peter’s, said: “This is an exciting and important project.

“With your help we can make it happen, ensuring that our hall truly remains ‘A Hall for All’ now, and for generations to come.”