THE PROPOSED PROJECT

THE PROPOSED PROJECT

The Church Room at Hollybush is approaching the one hundred year anniversary of its foundation. Over the years the hall has served the community as a gathering point for celebrations, jumble sales, and parties in its early days it was called the Institute and we think held a library. Now in the 21st Century, it is showing signs of its age with some deterioration to the fabric and the services.
Aspects of the hall, in particular, the toilets and kitchen are not really fit for purpose.
Nevertheless, it is a fine and unspoiled example of a prefabricated steel building similar to those that supplied all over the country indeed the world by W Copper from their factory in the  Old Kent Road, London in the late 19th and early 20th Century.

Bob Embleton / HollyBush Church Room / CC BY-SA 2.0

A group of enthusiasts are anxious to undertake the project to restore, improve and renovate the building. A formidable task that will require not only resources but careful management to maximize its use yet maintain the particular character.

Several questions are posed.

• Does the lease from the Church contain any hidden clauses that could turn into expensive liabilities?
• How much do we restore or do we replace?
• Seeking funds may require improvements such as insulation and safety measures. Are these really necessary and will they prove expensive or compromise the building.
• What are the anticipated uses for the building and what would be needed to be done to support them?
• What funding could be available? Where from? and what conditions would be imposed?
• What is the insurance liability for such a building?  Would it include a 'like for like' rebuild?
• What is the condition of the underlying structure and the metal skin?  How much could be repaired? Would replacement of the metal cladding be necessary?

Excellent advice has been given by Richard Timney the Business Advisor for Community Building and Funding of 'Community First for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

His initial meeting with him identified a range of questions we must address before embarking on the project.

This Blog is a call to action, to seek ideas and opinions and to help us identify the best way forward. So please COMMENT and express your opinion. 

We also seek any memories of life and the activities at the Church Room. So please cast around and ask anyone for any information or images.