Spring Bash Cancelled but please help.

Dear All,

It is with deep regret that we have taken the decision to cancel the Hollybush Village Room BYO 
21st March 2020.

It has become increasingly clear over the past few days that the potential risk is too great. As from today, Government  / NHS advice is to avoid social activities such as meeting as groups in pubs and restaurants and practice social distancing in some of higher-risk groups.

Please do however carry on saving for us in Smartie tubes.

Obviously one of the functions of the party is to raise further funds for the repairs and to reimburse Bob for the funds and time he has donated so I made an online donation.

Of course, it’s so easy and I didn’t even have to leave this room.

You can do it too, via BACS

HOLLYBUSH VILLAGE CHURCH ROOM 

SORT CODE  20-98-68 

ACCOUNT NO  53064042

All the best and in anticipation of a cure for everything. 

Significant progress and an unfortunate snag.

A grant from the Malvern Hills AONB has kick started the project and major efforts have already made significant start to the repairs and improvements.

Unfortunately while installing a new ring main the team discovered a significant amount of dry rot in the wall plates. Bob Lynch the project leader said “We have had to call a halt until we can raise more funds to buy more materials to replace the rotten timber, It’s not insurmountable, but it is a set back”“Everything was going well and we were planning a series of fundraising events but now we will need a significant input of funds to treat the timbers, replace the wall plate and some of the joists and the lower section of the paneling.When it is complete we think it will be a very special place for all sorts of exhibitions and events. It is hoped to open it to walkers and cyclists who want to stop for Tea and a Pee.For the locals, we are most anxious to preserve a building of character. Having seen how neglect has jeopardized other Tin buildings in the area we are determined not to lose this building.

A new opening to form a multipurpose hall.

Dry rot discovered in the wallplate of the main hall.

The kitchen area reconfigured and rotten joists reinforced.

New stairs and ring main installed

A date for your diary

Save the date 12th September 2020 ' Fundraising Celidh' to be held at Upton upon Severn Memorial Hall, which will help us maximise ticket sales and profits, check out The Burdoch Band https://www.theburdockband.co.uk/

The Burdock Band - Award-winning Ceilidh Band | Midlands, UK An Award-winning Ceilidh band based in the heart of England, perfect for weddings, corporate events and parties. Book us for your special day! www.theburdockband.co.uk

January NEWSLETTER.

Hollybush Village Church Room Newsletter February 2020

Dear All,

Sending you an update as we did not have our usual opportunity to get together for our annual 12^th Night party, I think we speak for everyone when we say how we all missed it and the opportunity to see our friends and neighbours.

We now plan to hold a ‘Spring Equinox Bring and Share Supper’ so save the date: Saturday 21^st March 2020 about 19.30hrs.  It’s the day before Mothering Sunday for anyone who needs a gentle reminder!

You will be aware that Jerry Fryman secured the offer of a grant £2000 (via the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty/Defra), the grant can only be claimed upon completion of works and evidence of monies spent so far, which is required to be submitted by 10th March 2020.

Unfortunately, the start of works was delayed due to ill health, but we are pleased to say that work is now being undertaken in earnest and we are on schedule to meet the target claim date.

A local Builder has made temporary repairs to the leaking roof.  The leak has been getting gradually worse over the years and has caused significant wet and dry rot.  Already, a large amount of structural timber, wall cladding,  joists & flooring and the stairs have had to be replaced.

Bob and Sam and Josh Pettigrew have been working throughout the last two weeks.

The hall also awaits electrical works to ensure certificated for use.

Any help would be gratefully received as the immediate jobs to be done include, creating the housing for the portaloo and creating a pathway leading from the back door to portaloo. If anyone does have a few hours to spare, please let Bob know 01531 650809.

Unfortunately, the annual bills and overheads are still to be paid e.g. insurances, electric, water and fire extinguishers service. We must, therefore, maintain a sustained fundraising effort. We would really appreciate your ideas and support for other events.

We have however, organised the following;

Fundraising:

We have purchased tubes of Smarties and will soon be sharing these colourful sweets with every household and supporters; the empty tube is ideal for collecting 20pence pieces or even £1 coins.  We would like to challenge everyone to collect their loose change over next few weeks, use your imagination, parents may wish to challenge your children to earn pocket money towards the hall funds. Have your friends over for a coffee morning etc. etc. We will either collect the tubes from you at our next meeting or we can collect, just give us a ring or drop us an e-mail.

Save the date: 12^th September 2020. ‘The Burdock Band’ 3 professional musicians and a caller have been booked to play at a fundraising Ceilidh. We have opted to hire Upton on Severn Memorial Hall which has a good capacity and dance floor. Tickets will be on sale from April onwards and will include a Pie & Peas supper and entry into a raffle. We propose it will be a ‘Bring your own alcohol’.  Tea, coffee and soft drinks will be on sale.

Anyone know of a good printer we’ll need tickets and advertising fliers/posters (Cheap) !

We would like to thank, Sheryl and Herman, Roger Gillard and Roger Dobson and Shirley for keeping, the hall and grounds tidy over the later days of summer 2019.

Hope to see you all on 21^st March,

Tracey (Lynch)

GENERAL MEETING AT HOLLYBUSH VILLAGE CHURCH ROOM

Thursday 19^th September 2019

Time:   19.30hrs

Hollybush Community now hold the lease for

Hollybush Village Church Room.

The work starts here to bring this 1912 building 

back into community use.

Please come along for an update, we need your support and ideas.

August :- Developments and some action.

Following Bob's illness and hospitalisation (we wish him a speedy recovery) the team has been reconstituted. This will allow Bob to take a back seat and recover properly.

The following people now have been co-opted onto the subcommittee and will form a working group.

Assistant Chair   Robin Pettigrew,
Fund Raising and communications Jerry Fryman 


I will keep this blog updated and post you regular reminders.
I will also start some initiatives that will help to rais money.

• It was decided to purchase a new portable toilet. This can be positioned in the shed to rear of the building where it can be locked up / or not.
  
  
• Some minor modifications to the old toilets and the tin should yield some spare tin sheeting that can be used to repair the roof and building.
  
  
• Ex residents of Hollybush John and Paul Fearnside have agreed to take on the task of improving and certifying the electrical wiring. An experienced electrician John will add some up to date kit and ensure that the installation is as flexible as possible, expandable and as discrete as possible.
  
  
• John has promised to come up from Bristol in September. He will survey the building, making any suggestions.
  
  
• Take a look at the WISH LIST. We will post a wish list of items that we want. (apart from money).

• We don't just need stuff, we also need advice. Advice on how to remove the paint from the ceiling and restore it to an acceptable appearance. Shabby chic is all very well, but this is too shabby!
  
• We need advice on the correct paint to use on the building to avoid the problems that have ruined the ceiling. Modern paints/stains should be OK but technical advice would be welcome.
  
  
• We need a specialist joiner to repair the windows. The wood is pitch pine and actually very durable. However, one or two windows will need some extensive repair.
  
  
•  There will be more ....

An initial survey.  

You may remember I thought we that should take advice as to the structural integrity and historical validity of the building before spending money and making any big effort.
David Armitage from the AONB put me in touch with Prof George Demidowicz.
He was a listed building officer, retired, and is researching the Kings Thirds on the commons, The Shire Ditch and the hidden field boundaries. 
We had a great afternoon tracing the remains of the Shire Ditch at Hollybush, the boundary at Wintercoombe and some of the field boundaries.

We also took a quick survey of the Hollybush Church Room.

Although the building has not been used for some time George was impressed by its state and condition.
Indeed the building is very well preserved and unspoiled, almost in ‘as-built’ condition. 
Although there is evidence of some damage it is modest and limited.
A roof leak can be traced to a blocked valley gutter. Some of the ground levels has encroached over the foundations.

The main anxiety was the condition of the metal cladding. This proved to be in excellent condition, the metal has been well galvanized and we could not find any evidence of rust beyond the expected minor surface rust on the inside of the seams.
Even the porch on the north side is in good condition although it looks rough.
Several cuts and alterations had been made in the outside skin, but these could be easily repaired and improved.

The wood cladding inside the building is in excellent condition. Particularly the floor and the walls. 
The ceiling had unfortunately been painted with an unsuitable paint, the varnish was rejecting it, with some unsightly peeling and flaking.
Most of the wood is pitch pine. A strong rot-proof wood. There is no smell of rot or damp.

The windows are the characteristic shape and style for this type of building. Again they were constructed from high-quality wood and although six had unsightly evidence of rot on the cills. They could easily be repaired, the cills replaced and restored to the original condition.

We discussed the buildings anticipated use. As it would be used intermittently, the insulation would not be cost-effective or necessary. It has already survived many winters.

A great asset to the building is its foundations. These are in excellent condition and all the air bricks seem clear and provide good underfloor ventilation.
There is no sign of movement or stress in the building.

The structure is supported on a metal framework, a series of metal trusses that use an innovative system of wrought iron tie bars, these give lateral strength and prevent the building spreading. Again these are in excellent condition.

In conclusion, the building is in very good condition and modest repairs will bring it back to use. 
This Church Room has withstood may winter and freezing conditions without significant damage, there seems no reason why it should not continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Any improvement should focus on repair and restoration. This should be modest and that would allow the main efforts/ money to be put into adding facilities and decoration.

A very positive outcome. Justifying any work and expense we incur.