NEWS
APRIL 7, 2010 - The Trust is delighted to report that the St Martin's Hall Community Appeal Fund has now achieved the agreed purchase price target of £80,000, enabling us to go ahead - subject only to detail wording of the contract - with finalising the transaction.
The Appeal Fund now stands at some £82,000. Major donations have been made by RASP - the Rural Access to Services Programme - who granted the Trust £20,000, while backing approved by the 'Farnham Herald' newspaper group proprietor, Sir Ray Tindle, has added a further £15,000. In addition the Bourne Tennis Club has made the most generous donation of £5,000 while our own Farnham Town Council has granted a further £2,000 towards the purchase.
But while the Appeal has now achieved its fixed initial target, donations are still sought to enable immediate and short-term remedial work to be conducted within the Hall. For it to survive as a community asset its toilets, kitchen, disabled access, storage etc, all demand urgent improvement and modernisation.
IF YOU HAVE PERHAPS BEEN POSTPONING YOUR SUPPORT UNTIL COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP OF THE HALL WAS IN SIGHT, NOW IS THE TIME TO HELP!
EVERY DONATION - NO MATTER HOW SMALL - NO MATTER WHETHER IN CASH, IN KIND...OR INDEED OF YOUR TIME - WILL BE MOST GRATEFULLY RECEIVED...
During the summer, the committee plus friends and volunteers started on the refurbishment of the Hall. The interior has been cleaned and painted. Cracked windows have been replaced. The garden has been cleared ready for landscaping and two storage sheds have been demolished. It is planned to re-site one of the remaining sheds while the Guides plan to erect a brand new one. This will greatly enhance the storage facility for the Hall's regular users.
We are now approaching companies for quotes to refurbish the toilets. Once the quotes have been received we will be in a position to apply for grants for this crucial modernisation.
Our fixed purchase appeal total of £80,000 has been achieved - after only eight months' campaigning - which is an enormous credit to the public bodies and individuals who have responded, and especially to you, the interested local Community. But there is still much to do...
How can you donate?
Please send cheques to:
The Treasurer,
St Martin's Hall Community Trust,
17 Vicarage Hill,
Farnham,
Surrey, GU9 8HL
As we are a Registered Charity we will be able to claim Gift Aid on money donated, so please let us know if you are a UK tax payer. If you could also give your email address (or phone number) we will then follow up on the Gift Aid administration very soon.
We would like to emphasise that should the Trust's efforts to purchase the Hall fail, then all named donations will become void and will be returned to the donors. Any un-nominated appeal balance remaining will then be distributed to other local charities.
