BACKGROUND
For more than 25 years Bucknell has been seeking to replace its aged Village Hall. Obtaining a suitable site was difficult and obtaining the necessary funding proved even more so. A Surveyor’s report in 2006 concluded that “the existing building requires considerable expenditure to improve the aged fabric and to update internal features for present standards and use” and “that a specifically designed building should be the most economical way to progress”. Unfortunately there has been limited progress in subsequent years despite the acquisition of a site in 2008. Planning permission to build a new Village Hall on this site was granted by Shropshire Council in 2011. Significant amounts of money were expended on architect’s and quantity surveyor’s fees, drainage and other services and access works but, due to a lack of funding for the building itself, the project was mothballed. Subsequent attempts at funding proved fruitless and the outbreak of the Corona Virus more than two years ago brought ongoing work on this project to a halt. The planning permission granted in 2011 has expired.
The existing Village Hall served as an army barracks in the First World War and, after the end of that conflict, the redundant building was purchased by the Village. The sectional building was dismantled and transported to Bucknell in 1922 by a steam powered lorry owned by a local haulage contractor. The building was re-erected by a team of local joiners on its existing site where it has remained for the last 100 years. During that time ongoing repair and maintenance works have been funded by income from lettings but the sub-standard condition of the building is resulting in ever-decreasing income from that source. The size and layout of the building limits the range of activities that can be accommodated and rules out most indoor sports sought by younger people.
ASPIRATIONS
The existing Village Hall has served the community well for more than 100 years but now is the time to look forward. Bucknell has been designated as a significant Community Hub by Shropshire Council following an assessment of local services, facilities, employment and public transport links within the area. Planned housing developments within the Village will add 95 dwellings before 2036 increasing the present population by more than 25% to some 920.
The existing Hall is well supported within the Village by a number of social groups (keep fit, WI, skittles, youth club, roller skating etc.) and as a venue for birthday celebrations, lunches and funeral teas. The Hall also provides a venue for larger occasions such as concerts and dances. However all these events are pre-arranged bookings meaning that the Hall is closed for much of the time.
With the new Village Hall the aim is to create a facility which is much more than a like-for-like replacement. Clearly the need for organised events to be pre-booked would continue as at present but there would be the opportunity to create a centre for more informal social gatherings in a safe, warm and welcoming atmosphere. There could be space for reading and even working. There could be space for handicrafts and board games, space for clubs and groups to meet – all over a cup of tea! Flexibility of use is to be the overarching criteria to meet the needs of future communities.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The Bucknell Memorial Hall & Recreation Ground Charity (BMHC), being the body responsible for the management of the Hall, have reviewed the present position and have resolved to press ahead with plans to replace the existing Village Hall but is looking for an entirely new design which minimises its carbon footprint and incorporates energy saving features wherever possible.
Liverpool University School of Architecture have agreed to assist in the design and planning of a new Village Hall. A team of students and lecturers, led by the Head of School (Professor Ola Uduku), travelled to Bucknell in November 2022 to look at the proposed site of the new Hall and to meet members of the BMHC. The team from the University toured the Village and met with representatives from local organisations before beginning to formulate design ideas for the new Hall. This work continued back at the design studios at the University’s School of Architecture leading to the consolidation of ideas into two alternative design concepts which were presented to the BMHC in March 2023 who voted unanimously in favour of the scheme based on a single unified form rather than the alternative scheme which was based on a courtyard arrangement.
The team from the University will continue their work on the approved scheme adding detail and form before returning to the Village in April for further discussions with the BMHC who expect to be able to present a final approved scheme to the Village in the Summer of 2023.