Building for the Future

Introduction

The Whixley Village Hall was originally built in 1934 and was extended to the back in the 1950s/60s. The village hall is now run as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation by Trustees who are responsible not just for running the hall but also promoting its use for the people of the Parish of Whixley and the surrounding areas.

In order to do this, the committee recognises that significant building work and upgrade is required to ensure that the village hall continues to be fit for purpose in the future.

To this end, an exciting and ambitious project, which we are referring to as ‘Building for the Future’, has been established by the committee. It involves two key elements:
upgrading of the heating system, to make it more efficient, cost effective and reduce our carbon consumption to zero (decarbonisation),
and;
a building development, to demolish the current dilapidated store at the rear of the hall and replace it with improved storage facilities and improved community lounge.

We want this project to take account of the views of the people of Whixley, and to ensure that the village hall is developed in a way that improves provision and enables maximum use of these facilities, thereby remaining a valued village amenity.

Replacement of the heating system, solar panels, and related repairs

In the Winter of 2024 the Hall was handed over to our insulation contractors (GRS Insulation) to carry out the first phase of our development to transform Whixley Village Hall into a carbon-neutral building. Over two weeks in mid-February, insulation was pumped into the cavity walls; both lofts were filled with 300mm of rock fibre insulation; and dense foam insulation panels were installed on the flat ceilings of the hall. As our project manager Chris says: “we wrapped the hall like a tea cosy”. The opportunity was also taken to install extra electric cabling behind the insulation panels to allow replacement of the lighting with new modern dimmable lights along with the installation of two new ceiling winches. Although the work created much dust, it was all completed on schedule, and the hall was cleaned (eight times!) before being returned to our customers. Our contractors are to be thanked for allowing their work to be interrupted by Pancake Night celebrations.

There was then a pause of several months while our electric supply was upgraded before a second phase of work saw the removal of the antiquated oil heating system; and the installation of seventy-two solar panels, two air source heat pumps, three Tesla storage batteries, and new radiators throughout the hall. During this pause the hall was available for customers, albeit with temporary lighting and missing curtains.

This installation has generated sufficient power to satisfy all the electrical needs of the village hall during the Spring and Summer of 2025, with significant amounts of electricity exported to the grid; not only saving money, but earning money from the electricity supplier. The heating and power system is all controlled remotely using specially designed smartphone Apps.

The result is a warm and comfortable building which does not rely on any fossil fuels, suitable for the future challenges of climate change in the 21st century. The people of Whixley will have a flexible, sustainable venue for events and celebrations for many decades to come.

In the Summer of 2025, all damage caused by the removal of the old heating system was repaired and the hall, entrance foyer, toliets, bar and kitchen were completely redecorated. Some twenty acoustic panels were installed to improve the sound dynamics of the hall, and the beautiful softwood floor was stripped and revarnished. At the same time a modern fire alarm system was installed to meet the requirement of public building safety and our insurers.

Finally, in September 2025, new blinds were fitted to the windows, giving us the ability to achieve a ‘black out’ effect which not only provide a modern aesthetic for the hall but will also enhance our Film Club experience.

The cost of all this work is £193,044 and has only been made possible with a large grant from FCC Communities Action Fund (using funds from the Allerton Waste Recovery Park) as well substantial contributions from the National Lottery, the Queen’s Jubilee Fund, and North Yorkshire’s Shared Prosperity Fund. And not least, the residents of Whixley have generously donated substantial funds from their own pockets.

Disabled Access

Background

Whixley Village Hall is a vital hub for community life in this North Yorkshire village, hosting a wide range of regular activities including fitness classes, children’s groups, social gatherings, film nights and community meetings. While the hall is well used, access to the building had become increasingly challenging for people with mobility difficulties. The existing entrance arrangements included steps that made independent access difficult for wheelchair users, older residents and parents with pushchairs.

Funding

With support from grant funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the village hall trustees undertook a project to significantly improve accessibility and safety at the building.

Design

The original proposal involved installing a two-stage ramp to the front entrance. However, during the planning process the design was reconsidered to deliver a more effective long-term solution. The project was revised to create a fully compliant access ramp to the side entrance of the building, combined with the installation of an electrically operated door. This allows wheelchair users and people with limited mobility to enter the hall independently and safely.

At the same time, improvements were made to the main front entrance to enhance safety for all visitors. The existing steps were replaced with a level platform and handrails, making the approach easier for those with reduced mobility. The front door itself was replaced with a glazed door to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents, particularly during busy events. Additional external lighting was also installed around the entrances to improve safety during evening activities.

Planning

As Whixley is in a Conservation Area, the project required planning permission, which was not granted until mid-November and subsequently required an amendment approved in January. This delayed the start of construction, and the planned January start date was further affected by periods of poor winter weather. As a result, the new ramp and entrance improvements were only completed and brought into use in late March.

Outcome

Despite these challenges, the completed project has transformed access to the building. The new ramp and automatic door provide a fully inclusive entrance for wheelchair users, older residents and others who may previously have struggled to enter the hall. The improved entrance layout and lighting also make the building safer and more welcoming for everyone who attends events.

Redevelopment of the rear store

The project to demolish and replace, or redevelop, the rear store will require a very significant fundraising effort, and ways in which this may be achieved are currently being reviewed.