of the organisations who have given grants. These are Plain Action, Wiltshire Council, the Hills Group, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Rank Foundation, Community First, the Church and Communities Fund, the Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, Allchurches Trust, Co-operative Communities Trust, Walter Guinness Charitable Trust, Coutts & Co Charitable Foundation and the Diocesan Social Welfare Fund. There were also many Church and community members who had given generously of both their money and time. Our grateful thanks go to all the above for helping to make this project such a success.
In October 2009, the Abbey Church of St. Mary and St. Melor in Amesbury purchased the almost derelict Royal British Legion building in order to replace their existing Church Hall which had become dilapidated and too small for purpose. The following two years were spent raising sufficient funds to reconfigure the inside and completely refurbish the building.The aim of the project has been to provide a new high quality facility that will help to improve the quality of life for the growing Amesbury community. It will cater for people of all ages and needs. There are a number of Church and community user groups and events which will transfer from the existing hall and will provide a variety of activities from aerobics, dance and slimming to providing friendship, support and fun to the elderly and more vulnerable members of the community.
Canon Simon Wilkinson, the Vicar of the Abbey Church of St. Mary and St. Melor said ‘This has been an enormous achievement by the whole community and this magnificent Hall will serve the people of Amesbury for many years to come’.The Hall comprises a large foyer, a main hall which will hold in excess of 120 people, a smaller meeting room which holds approximately 35, and a well equipped kitchen. It has level access to the side and rear, a ramp at the front, no internal steps, a wide corridor and doorways that can easily accommodate wheelchairs, and a disabled toilet. In addition there is a purpose-built Youth Club with its own entrance, disabled toilet and small kitchen area.
The Hall is now able to take bookings for groups to meet on a regular basis, for meetings, for fund raising and charity events, for wakes and for celebrations e.g. Christenings, weddings, birthdays.
To find out more about the Hall and its facilities please contact Sue Bingham Marketing Manager.
To book the Hall please contact Anne Lewendon Hall Manager.
Both can be contacted on 01980 677244. Email: amesbury.wyndham@btconnect.com