| Village Hall History |
The following is the history of the village hall as far as we know. If you have any information further or better then please send it to us via the Feedback page
THE LAND
On the 4th September 1928, Ambrose Smith sold to Thomas Sheffield Newcome Harding (lieutenant Colonel retired), Henry John Larwood (Farmer) and George William Barnham (Auctioneer), all of Caston and now called Trustees of the Village Hall, 1,341 square yards for the sum of £22-10 shillings.
THE HALL
A quote of £300 from Mr Horace-Webster ot Rose Cottage Caston was accepted to bulld the Village Hall, 60' x 20' to be built of wood with a brick base. The building was completed on the 29th January 1929 (the kitchen and toilets came later).
Known Improvements but there may be others
1955
| 2 "Artease" stoves in the main hall. | £70 |
| Drainage and septic tank system to W. CiS and sink. | £115 |
| W. C's and cubicle in cloak room including plumbing. | £40 |
| Sink and draining board in main hall and plumbing. | £15 |
| Service counter top with flap. | £15 |
| Total | £255 |
A grant of £88.00 was given from the Ministry of Education.
1982 SUSPENDED CEILING
Installed in 1982 at a cost of £638.00 with a grant from WREN.
OUTSIDE CLADDING OF VILLAGE HALL
The hall was clad in corrugated iron sheets for the sum of £898.00.
WINDOWS 1997
Installed double glazed windows (5), grant from Breckland £500.00, grant from CastonParish Council £500.00.
IMPROVEMENTS 2017/18 - Phase 1
New large entrance porch added with new entrance ramp to accommodate disabled users.
Removal of lean-to structure housing part kitchen and part toilets and replacement with full height extension to village hall
New kitchen fitted with Neff appliances of Oven with hide-away door, Microwave, Cooker Hood and built in fridge. New toilets incorporating Male, Female and Disabled.
New 2-phase electrical supply installed to facilitate additional electrical power required for kitchen appliances.
Village Hall fully decorated internally and new curtains fitted.
Expected cost c£88,000
We are very grateful to the following organisations which funded part of the costs. Grants from:
| Caston Parish Council | £13,000 |
| Breckland District Council | £20,000 |
| Garfield Weston | £ 5,000 |
The remainder of the money was raised from regular coffee mornings and various other events. Thank you to those who kindly organised the events and thank you to those who attended and participated as without that patronage the improvements could not have taken place.
There is still much to do in order to improve the main structure of the hall and we will be turning our attention to that, being Phase 2, just as soon as the hall re-opens April 2018.
Situation Report April 2018
The extensive upgrade and part rebuilding of the Village Hall was completed on 30th March 2018 and was opened the next day.
The old kitchen and toilet extension together with part of the main hall was dismantled and removed. New foundations and drains were dug and a new structure built complying with modern building and insulation standards. In addition to the new kitchen the new structure has provided new Gents’, Ladies’ and disabled modern toilet facilities and a new warm entrance hall. The power requirements of the hall had to be upgraded to provide enough electrical power for the new cooking facilities. Plumbing services have also been upgraded to provide hot and cold water to all basins and sink in addition to a drinking water tap on the kitchen sink.
It is still the managing trust’s aim to complete the remainder of the main hall upgrade to provide improved insulation, modern facilities and a storage / meeting room as soon as funds permit. Much fund-raising needs to be done before the rest of the upgrade can proceed. Donations are of course always welcome to help the cause and details can obtained from the trust treasurer at treasurer@castonvillagehall.co.uk