Copyright © 2010 Stonehaugh Village Hall
The new Community Hall has been match funded by Northern Rock, Tynedale Council, Awards for All, and the Government Office for the North East and we thank them for their support.
The Hall was officially opened in March 2010 by Kathryn Tickell a renowned musician and former Stonehaugh resident.
(Picture of Previous village hall)
Project History
The original design was to have wind turbines, solar water heating and rainwater collection systems incorporated into the build, however, the wind turbines were removed following problems with water ingress and not reinstalled. The water collection tank was delivered but the filtration system was not. The Solar heating was deleted from the build on cost grounds. Sadly the control gear for much of this equipment was removed so future installation is now unlikely without significant funding.
The building was designed by XXXXXXXXXX and built by the following contractors:
Sustainable Forestry – Principle Contractor
Crawford Higgins – Project Management
Who? – Groundwork’s
Who? – Building (Berlin & Finland)
Who? – Plastering & Joinery
Who? – Electrics
Article from bellingham.journallive.co.uk
People at Stonehaugh, north of Hexham, began fundraising for a new eco-friendly village hall in 1999.
Building work began in 2006 but the project at the 35-home community ground to a halt owing to a legal dispute with the company doing the work.
But with the help of Crawford Higgins Associates, based in Hexham, the hall committee was able to resolve the dispute in February 2008.
A new builder, Henderson Building Contractors of Cramlington, was employed and resumed work later that year.
With funding totaling around £600,000, work has progressed with solar panels and ground source heat pumps installed.
That money came from committee chairman Phil Biggs, pictured, who gave £5,000; the now defunct Tynedale Council, between £80,000 and £100,000; the Willan Trust, £10,000; Northumberland National Park Authority, £48,000, and Government Office for the North East, £248,000 through the European Regional Development Fund scheme.
Recently, the committee has finally arrived in a position where it can open the hall.
Mr Biggs said: "It is a lovely village hall project. It has taken 10 years to achieve.
"We have had some ups and downs.
"But now we have this wonderful £600,000 building. It is an achievement for a small rural community.
"We are proud to get it open, there is still a little bit of work to be done yet but it is open and could be used.
"Without the contributions from all of these funders and Crawford Higgins, the project would not have been finished. We really would have struggled. It shows when people can work together what can be achieved."
Celebrations were staged at the hall yesterday, beginning with a private bash to thank funders and stakeholders.
The hall was then officially opened by celebrated Northumbrian musician Kathryn Tickell, a former Stonehaugh resident, before a crowd of invited guests and members of the public.
Northumbrian folk duet Landermason continued the celebrations into the evening.
Some landscaping is required at the site and funding is required for that, but now the building is open it will generate revenue towards the cost.
The village social club has already been meeting there since November.
The hall was built to replace the social club's nearby meeting place which was transported to Stonehaugh in 1956 having served as a prisoner of war hut in Wales.
That building closed when the hall came into use and will eventually be demolished.
