Welcome to our Website
Welcome to the James Hargreaves Hall website! We hope you will find it informative and useful. Our vibrant community hall is used by a variety of local user groups including the long established art groups, knit and natter, table tennis and gardening club.
It is a meeting place and a doing space which enhances our village by bringing our community together. There are also a variety of social events held in our hall throughout the year. Delve further into our website to find out more about our events and the history of the hall!
Debbie Hewson (Chair of the Committee)
Mission Statement
The mission of the James Hargreaves Hall trustees, who represent the local community, is to continue to manage and develop the hall for the community of Morcombelake and surrounding villages. Our aim is to provide appropriate activities and support for the whole community but also to promote, where appropriate, local and national charities.
Committee Members
- Debbie Hewson (The Chair)
- Gill Wingfield
- Mo Reeve
Document Store
The committee produce a monthly newsletter, letting the community know what events are scheduled that month. If you wish to receive the newsletter by hand or by email please contact Karen Berry, at jhvillagehall@gmail.com
All official documentation and monthly newsletters are available for download in the Document Store.
A Potted History
The James Hargreaves Hall was built in 1863 by James Hargreaves who was the local minister and who was also instrumental in building a Chapel at the same time in the village of Morcombelake. At the time of its construction, it was intended to be used to educate the local children of the village and was called “The School Room."
By 1997, the Chapel was in need of urgent repair and as the congregation was in decline, it was decided to move their worship to St Gabriel’s Church instead.
In 1999, The United Reformed Church gave the community the chance to buy the Chapel and the Hall for £15,000. The funding came from West Dorset District Council, Dorset County Council, Char Valley Parish Council and the generosity of the local community whose kind donations also helped raise the money to buy the Chapel and the Hall. In early 2004, the community finally took ownership of both the Chapel and Hall.
Sadly, the Chapel was in such a poor state of repair it was agreed to demolish the building.
The committee produced a plan which concentrated their efforts on renovating and decorating the Hall with the aim of making the Hall the hub of community life. At this time, it was renamed the James Hargreaves Hall, in recognition of the minister who had founded the Chapel and school in the village over a 100 years ago.
After a decade, sufficient funds have been secured to carry out the majority of works to make the Hall a real community asset. Many local clubs and groups meet in the hall on a weekly basis, such as art groups, dance groups, the gardening club, table tennis club and many more.
The Hall is also available for private hire at the reasonable cost of £15 a session, either morning, afternoon or evening. If you would like to book the Hall, please contact Debbie Hewson on 07956285221. The Hall has excellent facilities for any club or party to utilise. There is a fully fitted kitchen and toilet (modified for disabled use) as well as the large hall itself.
The current committee aims to formulate a 3 year plan, which hopes to include improving disabled access to make sure the Hall is as inclusive as possible to all the community and surrounding villages. The Committee is committed to ensuring that the James Hargreaves Hall Charity is well managed and that hard earned funds are used appropriately and ensure the Hall will be the hub of the community for years to come.
What is happening at James Hargreaves Hall?
The Hall Is Available For Booking
James Hargreaves Hall can be booked for private functions and community events.
The hall boasts recently refurbished modern kitchen facilities and an audio system. Bookings can be made by telephone to Debbie Hewson on 07956285221.
A cordless microphone is available for the use of hall hirers. Please contact Avril Sherring on avrilsherring@btinternet.com (01297 480994) if you would like to use it.