Butterton Village Hall

(Mellor Hall Foundation: Charity Number 528491)

Wetton Road, Butterton. ST13 7ST

History

By an indenture dated 9th March 1754, William Mellor left lands to be held in trust for maintaining a schoolmaster and a school in Butterton.

By an order of the Charity Commissioners of 9th Jan 1872, the real estate belonging to the Foundation was vested in the Official Trustee of Charity Land and the Vicar plus 6 other persons were appointed Trustees.

The ‘Old School’ closed after a damning HMI report in 1940 and a new School was built. This in turn closed in 1980 due to low pupil numbers and the ‘Manifold Valley School’ became the Village Hall.

Village Hall

The Hall comprises of a large room which can be subdivided into 2 areas. There is an entrance hall with a purpose built bar area and disabled toilet off, a well-stocked kitchen, toilets and a storeroom. There is an adjoining building with its own kitchen and toilets which is now Butterton History Centre. The hall is very lucky to have a playing field and a refurbished play area.

The Hall is currently hired out for Community events, Children’s parties, Christenings, Weddings and Funeral Wakes, Parish Council meetings. It doubles up as the Polling station. Other events include the Annual Butterton Wakes, Summer and Christmas Fayres, Bingo sessions, Harvest Supper, Dog training and Pilates classes.

We consider ourselves to be very lucky to have such a well cared for, substantially built Hall with beautiful views over the surrounding Moorlands. The Village Hall, by reputation, is becoming a popular venue particularly during the summer months.

In the last few years the Village Hall Committee has spent funds on the internal redecoration. Phase 1 was the redecoration of the kitchen and pantry. Phase 2 was the redecoration of the main room, bar area, corridor and entrance porch. Further fundraising was necessary to raise further funding for Phase 3- the external redecoration. The glass roof in the corridor has been replaced and new electrics throughout. The Bar area has undergone changes too.

To ensure the future of the Village Hall financially, our aim is to attract its use as a venue for parties and celebrations etc. Sadly, we cannot rely solely on ‘local’ hirings to ensure the Hall’s livelihood. With this in mind we had to make the decision to increase our hiring charges. For local organisations and residents it is £12 an hour. Out of Butterton charges £15 an hour.

To view conditions for hiring and booking the Hall, please follow the link to the Hire Agreement on this page.

• A first aid box and accident book will be found on the worktop near the kettles.

• If you feel we could improve on facilities, please leave us a note in the Hirer’s Book to be found in the top drawer behind the kitchen door.

Committee Members

Chairperson

Hilary Bassett 01538 304219

Secretary

Sheila McDermott. 01538 304386

Minutes Secretary

Marjorie Renshaw. 01538 304226

Treasurer and Bookings Secretary

Maggie Risby. Kent House 01538 304115 maggie.risby@btopenworld.com

Dianne Wint, Gwen Bagshaw.

Download a copy of the Village Hall Hire Agrement below: