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Churchill's theatre shows fighting spirit
RUISLIP'S top theatre venue will be getting a long-awaited overhaul thanks to a £370,000 grant from Hillingdon Council.
The 46-year-old Winston Churchill Hall, part of the Manor Farm complex in Pinn Way, will be extensively refurbished to bring its facilities up to date.
It will be the most significant upgrade of the building since it was opened in the same year of former prime minister Winston Churchill's death, after whom it was named, in 1965.
Councillor Henry Higgins, cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, said: "Funding of around £370,000 has been allocated to refurbishing Winston Churchill Hall and we are drawing up plans to rejuvenate this popular venue and provide attractive, welcoming and updated theatre and community facilities.
"The work will include updating the toilets, refurbishing the lobby and entrance areas with new box office facilities, decorating the interior and installing new lighting, IT and other infrastructure.
"The work is due to begin in mid-2011 and will be planned around bookings to minimise inconvenience and allow the continued use of the facilities."
The news has been welcomed by the many local societies and exhibitioners who use Winston Churchill Hall regularly.
Paul Friend, chairman of amateur dramatics group The Argosy Players, said: "It is very tired and dated and is definitely in need of an improvement.
"The kitchens aren't useful and the toilets leave a lot to be desired. There is plaster falling off the walls and the lighting company we use said they couldn't trust the equipment any more.
"So it is well worth an investment, I know they have been talking about it for about five years. At this time of cuts it is to be applauded that money is being spent on somewhere like this."
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How wonderful that money is being spent on the Winston Churchill Hall at last. However, it is such a shame that after such a long battle with Hillingdon Council back in 2008/2009 that the Stables (on the same site) was not given the £50,000 refurbishment costs needed. This would have enabled me to start the pre-school I was so desperate to keep on site, and that the local community so desperately wanted and needed.
As I understand, the Stables is still sitting there empty. It could have been used for the good of the community and stopped a lot of pre-schoolers from missing out on an early education that they so rightly deserve.
Councillor Higgins obviously prioritises Arts and Culture over Education.
If the stables are owned by the Council is there anything stopping an application being made for Chrysalis funding to refurbish the stables?
In order for a project to be considered, it needs to satisfy the following criteria. It must:
*provide or improve a Council-owned asset.
*provide measurable progress in community safety and/or community strategy themes.
*be self funding in the future, and not place additional long-term demand on the Councils' Revenue Budget
*be sustainable
*be the result of community/agency consultation
*improve the Boroughs overall image
*meet the Councils criteria for Capital expenditure, currently a minimum of £5,000 per scheme.