NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2010EVENTS AT THE VILLAGE HALL
Saturday 20th March - Easter Prize Bingo doors open 6.30pm (Eyes down at 7.30)
Friday 26th March – Coffee Morning 10-12am
Saturday 22nd May – Car Boot Sale – 2 – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday 19th and 20th June – Open Garden at Lydeard House – 2-5pm
We need a number of helpers at this event – if you are able to help for an hour
or two please contact Viv Allen on 430421 or print and return the helpers form.
Click here for a printable version
Friday 25th June – BL Players present a ‘Murder Mystery’ at 7.30pm
PROJECT NEWS
The new Small Hall was opened in July 2009 and is now a popular and well used facility. In addition we were able to upgrade the heating system in the halls during the summer, and we have received Planning Permission to extend the car park.
Part of the Play Park equipment was replaced in Spring 2009 and the project to extend the Play Park and replace the remainder of the equipment is now well advanced. Our thanks to the group of parents whose help has been invaluable in planning the second phase of this project.
The Village Hall Management Committee is now looking for grants for the next phase of development which will be an extension of the Mount St. end of the Large Hall to accommodate a permanent stage. The grant providers require us to show that the proposed stage would be well used and we have already identified a number of groups that are certain to use it. If you know of any potential users or have ideas for use of a permanent stage, please contact Alan Ball on 01823 433983.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Village Hall Committee’s aim is to enhance and improve the Village Hall to serve the village by making it a more user friendly and versatile facility.
We would welcome new members who would like to help in the running of this important village facility. Why not come along to our AGM on 21st April at 7.00pm to find out more and to give us suggestions on events or activities you would like to see provided.
Monthly Prize Draw
Our thanks to all those who take part - most subscriptions expire after the February draw – please support us by taking out a new subscription.
The Monthly Prize Draw supports the development of the Village Hall and raised nearly £1000 in 2009 after payment of prizes
5 prizes monthly – each prize is 10% of the entry total for the month
You can enter the Prize Draw at any time – entry forms are available from the Village Hall, from the Cornerstore, the Post Office, the Paper Shop, or from 01823 430421.
The Prize Draw is licensed under the Gambling Act 2005 by Taunton Deane Borough Council
BISHOPS LYDEARD PLAYERS
After their recent and very successful production of ‘Maxitweet’, Bishops Lydeard Players are now starting rehearsals for the ‘Murder Mystery’ to be staged in June and are beginning to plan for the Pantomime that will be staged in February 2011. New performers (and backstage hands) are always welcome, so if you would like to join the group please either come to a group meeting (Mondays at 7pm) or contact Ann Pattemore on 432223.
REGULAR GROUPS
Why not come along and try one of the regular groups using the halls. These include:
Aerobics – Wednesdays 7.30-8.30pm
Art Class – Thursdays 7-9pm
Badminton – Monday 6.30-8pm, Wednesdays 2.30-3.30pm
Ballet & Tap Dancing – Mondays from 3.30pm
Bishops Lydeard Friendly Club (over 55’s) – third Wednesdays of the month Oct–Mar 2-4pm
Bishops Lydeard Players (Amateur Dramatics) Mondays 7-9pm
Bishops Lydeard Pre-school Monday – Friday 9-12.30am
Bridge Tuition – Thursdays 7-9pm
Mother & Toddler Group – Mondays 9-12am
Pilates – Tuesdays 6.45-7.45pm
Short Mat Bowls – Tuesdays 8-9.30pm, Thursdays 2.30-4pm
Stagestruck Theatre School – Thursdays 4-8pm
Street Pop Dance – Fridays 5-5.30pm
Youth Club – Fridays 7-9pm
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The official opening of the new small hall

VILLAGE HALL OPENS IN STYLE
The brand new extension to the village hall in Bishops Lydeard has been unveiled in style by Fred Clarke, a long term resident and supporter of the Village Hall and brother of the late Science Fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke, during an Open Day to show off its facilities.
The new hall, which cost £150000, will offer space for meetings, groups, and social events for up to 60 people. With the adjoining new corridor it now means that the kitchen is accessible from any of the halls without disruption to other users. There are also new toilets and much needed storage space.
Speaking at the official opening of the latest improvements, Fred called on people to make full use of the hall and support the team that had put so much effort in keeping it running, Fred added that he knew a lot of craftsmanship had gone into the building and everyone should be proud of its quality.
Rok area leader Steve Bradley, a local, said that the project had been delivered ahead of schedule, and that it had been a particular pleasure to work with architect Trevor Spurway on a project so close to home, and one that had such obvious benefits for the whole community.
County councillor, John Wilkins, said: “I am delighted that this excellent new facility has been provided for the village. The Village Hall Management Committee continues to work hard for improvements to the hall and are to be congratulated on their achievement today”.
Cllr Richard Lees, Executive Councillor for Sports, Parks and Leisure at Taunton Deane Borough Council, said he hoped the hall would be an asset to the village for years to come, adding: “Everyone who worked so hard on this should be proud.”
Gillian French, Biffaward Programme manager commented “Biffaward is delighted to support this project in Bishops Lydeard, which will bring more flexibility in the way that the village hall can be used. Everyone who attends services, groups, meetings, concerts and events will benefit.”
Alan Ball, Chair of the Village Hall Management Committee, thanked all members of the Committee for all their hard work and support of the project. He also thanked Biffaward, Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone Parish Council, Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Viridor Environmental Credits Company for their financial contributions to the project. The Village Hall also contributed from its Development Fund and he thanked all those who have organised, assisted at, or attended the numerous fundraising events.
The committee are seeking to recruit new members to assist in the ongoing development and running of the facilities - anyone interested in joining the team please contact Alan Ball on 01823 433983
Our thanks to all those who take part - please support us by taking out a new subscription.
The Monthly Prize Draw supports the development of the Village Hall and raised nearly £1000 in 2008 after payment of prizes
5 prizes monthly – each prize is 10% of the entry total for the month
You can enter the Prize Draw at any time – entry forms are available from the Village Hall, from the Cornerstore, the Post Office, the Paper Shop, or from 01823 430421.
The Prize Draw is licensed under the Gambling Act 2005 by Taunton Deane Borough Council
The Village Hall Committee’s aim is to enhance and improve the Village Hall thus making it a more user friendly and versatile facility for the village.
This aim started with the resurfacing of the car park and continues with the new Small Hall and the replacement of Play Park equipment as described above. The Village Hall Management Committee is now looking for grants for the next phase of development which will be an extension of the Mount St. end of the Large Hall to accommodate a permanent stage.
The Village Hall Management Committee would welcome new members who would like to help in the running of this important village facility. Why not come along to our AGM (date to be advised) to find out more and to give us suggestions on events or activities you would like to see provided.
As the hall development programme continues so the workload involved in keeping it running increases. There are many tasks involved in running the Village Hall, such as -:
· Maintenance of the hall and grounds.
· Fund raising planning and helping at events
· Improvement planning and applying for grants
The more people we have involved in the running of the Hall the smaller the workload for the individual, so if you feel you would like to help and have some time to spare please contact either Richard Peacocke (01823 432740), Greg Allen (01823 430421) or Alan Ball (01823 433983).