This autumn will mark the end of our third year of fund raising. The response has been tremendously encouraging; and you will all have noticed evidence of this in the construction of the first half of the new Village Hall on land also purchased from our fund raising efforts.
We are writing to keep you informed of our plans and to seek your continued support. is One of the big problems we face not unknown to all of you inflation. To put it in simplest terms, with inflation at 20%, any building costing 220,000 now, will cost £24,000 in a year's time. This therefore is why we are pushing ahead with the building because the longer we wait, the more money we shall have to raise. We are fairly confident that, together with the grant we have received, we have sufficient funds available to oomplete the first half of the re-building.
This part of the construction contains the new Club Room, which will include space for the billiard table; bar facilities; spacious toilet facilities; entrance hall; and new kitchen.

Now that the footings, the walls and floors are all constructed, the roof has been started. This is where we are calling on voluntary labour from parishioners. From now on, our aim is to do as much work as possible with our own labour so that we can not only keep the costs of the building down, but also be able to say that we are building our own Village Hall. It is our aim to complete this first half, including all internal fittings and decorations certainly not later than end Merch 1981 when the new part will be connected by a passage way with the present Hut, so that the two oan be used in conjunction.
That we will have done within the space of 3 years says much for the support that we have received from all of you; and I hope that it will spur us to the final phase of replacing the Hut with a new and enlarged hall that will be of great benefit to this parish for many generations to come.
So, we are asking for your help in two spheres firstly, helping with the construction; and here we will be grateful for any assistance and please do not be shy in coming forward to offer your services, and secondly, in continuing to support the fund raising so that, not only ean we complete the present phase of construction, but go ahead with raising funds for the final phase. Regular work parties are already in operation on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from approximately 6.30 and on Sunday mornings from 9.30.

Once again, we are planning a big fete on 26 July 1980 please support this and encourage your friends to do the same. The plans are well advanced for a large number of side-shows, and there will be a barbecue and dance in the evening. The 200 Club and the Wastepaper are again providing very useful contributions to the funds, and the Committee continues to encourage organisations to run functions for the fund raising, and we are very grateful to those who supported us so magnificently in the past. We are also planning further activities for the next twelve months, including a large Christmas Raffle.

Thank you for your support in the past and your continuing support in the future.

May, 1980

From the

Widdington Magazine December 1979

VILLAGE HALL REBUILDING FUND

Just over two years ago, a well-attended meeting overwhelmingly supported the idea of as new village hall. At the time some people, whilst in support, were sceptical of the whole  idea and doubted the ability of the village to carry out the project. Many others, whilst being enthusiastic towards the project, were nevertheless thoroughly apprehensive of the task that lay ahead.
Well, we're not home and dry yet but we've made a first rate start. May I take this opportunity of thanking you all who have helped in any way - for your support, your enthusiasm, and for your success in raising funds. We are now in the position of being able to start building. We've paid for the land and with the help of grants frm local and central Government, we have the construction of the first phase also.
Of course, inflation affects our rebuilding plans as much as anything else, and it is clear that our original estimate will need revising. Nevertheless, to lessen the effects of inflation, we intend to start building works as soon as possible and this is where we need your further assistance. We want to do as much as possible with voluntary help: so if you have time available and would like to help in what I am sure will be a rewarding project, don't be shy in coming forward. I don't expect we will be short of foremen! But whatever your talents, whether it be bricklaying, plastering, carpentering, painting or just plain labouring, your assistance will be appreciated.
We aim at completion of the first phase by Spring 1981, so construction will be our priority for the next sixteen months. We shall not, however, be forsaking our fund raising activities as you will see from another page in the magazine referring to next year's fete -just as we also set great store by our revenue from the 200 clubs and paper collections. Whether you are a 'Builder' or a 'Fundraiser', many thanks for all you have already done -and we look forward to your continuing support.D-R.3

Syiliva Knghts