RINGMER VILLAGE HALL
RINGMER VILLAGE HALL
An expanding village, Ringmer has a population of approx. 5,000. The Village Hall had major work in the early 1970s and extensive refurbishment c.2002 but an extension was essential to respond to the significant community growth. The Village Hall is a facility used throughout the week by a very diverse range of Ringmer users, it also draws groups from the surrounding areas because of its facilities.
The key needs were for more storage space and a community room. Turner & Hoskins’ proposal received support from the Planning Department and the Conservation Officer.
The proposal hides the 1970s extension, includes a new community room separated from the existing building through clever use of a glazed internal street that also provides essential additional space. The community room design allows for the addition of a mezzanine at a later date. Another area of the extension allows for library facilities to adjoin an existing meeting room enabling the library to benefit from existing space for special events or readings.
Turner & Hoskins sought to provide a sympathetic design in scale in keeping with the original building and make use of regional materials including brick, flint and clay tiles.
Project 1 – Commenced August 2015, this includes creation of an accessible toilet, refurbishment of the existing toilets, and alteration of the St Mary’s Meeting Room, a new library extension and associated works. Completion due early 2016.
Project 2 – Awaiting confirmation to begin the new community room and glazed internal street.
Despite the challenges of recession, Turner & Hoskins are committed to project completion. Tim has worked for the Building Management Committee since 2008 and fondly recalls attending a Church Youth Group in the hall many years ago. Tim says, ‘It’s a privilege to give back to the community.’
