Save our Village Hall - A Village Hall for the Future

Our community needs your help

Together we have raised £145,000

Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards 'Save our Village Hall', having a community hub that meets the vision of the Trustee's, members and users, 'A Village Hall for the Future', be it a donation, pledge, membership, hiring the hall or attending our Fundraising Events. We are thrilled to have your support.

There is still some way to go, so your continued support is absolutely crucial NOW to get the essential renovations needed to the Village Hall completed. Securing the future of this community owned hub means you, your family, friends, neighbours and visitors can continue to attend a wide variety of events and activities that are so important for everyone's health and wellbeing.

There are many ways you can get involved and help us raise the necessary funds. Consider, making a donation or a pledge, organising or taking part in a sponsored event, or donating items for auctions and raffles or your time. For more information see below. Your contribution will make a lasting impact to our community.

Our Story and why we need your help

The Village Hall has been the centre of village life since 1890 and has played a vital role in connecting the local community during decades of development which has seen significant population growth.

The main hall, remains structurally sound, though it's showing its age with some damp. Our Village Hall has a rich heritage, and its importance to our community cannot be overstated. You can delve deeper into its history by reading 'Our Story'.

Over the years, our community has repeatedly come together to improve the hall. They added an extension for toilets and storage next to the existing garden wall, but unfortunately, this extension has no real foundations and consequently has shifted. They also dug out below the main hall to create the snooker room and built a kitchen.

It is these areas that now require attention.

Don’t just read about these major issues, let us show you.
Complete our online form to request a visit to areas you may not have been in before.

Why your support matters

Your help is crucial to complete the essential building work needed for the Village Hall. By supporting us, you're securing the future of this vital community hub and ensuring that the important events and activities, so beneficial for people's health and wellbeing, can continue.

With your help, our Village Hall will be transformed in Phase 1, featuring:

• an improved kitchen with increased capacity including a drinks serving area

• improved and more toilet facilities

• new fire exit

• increased storage to keep our spaces tidy and functional

• better accessibility for everyone, including a fully accessible entrance and toilet

• improved thermal characteristics to reduce our general running costs and make the hall more sustainable.

In Phase 2:

• renewable energy solutions, significantly reducing our general running costs and making the hall even more sustainable

• improved aesthetic improvements to the main hall including new internal doors and main hall floor

• instalation of tanking system to keep the Snooker Room dry and damp free

• new steps and aesthetic improvements to the Snooker Room.

How you can help and details of help already offered

Become an ambassador
Play a vital role by organising/helping to organise Fundraising Events on our behalf. 

• The Trustees would like to thank all those who helped organise and gave their time free of charge at our Casino Night in 2025.

Be a giver
Give an item or your time to be auctioned or used as a raffle prize.

• New items received from the Glass Shack.

Be a sponsor

• Sponsor a Fundraising Event

• Sponsor part of the build

• Set up a regular standing order and if you are a UK taxpayer, please allow us to boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate. For more details go to Donation and pledge.

Give your time and energy
Take part in a sponsored event with proceeds going to the Village Hall.

Give your support
Become a member/renew your membership and attend our Fundraising Events all of which will help us get to our target quicker.

Give a donation or make a pledge, every pound helps!
And if you are a UK taxpayer, please allow us to boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate. For more details go to Donation and pledge.

Or do you have an idea!
We would love to hear how you want to help save our Village Hall. For example:

• The Beach House will shortly be announcing an event they are organising with proceeds going to this appeal

• Lesley Rogan, a resident in Downderry, is organising an Auction and Music Night on Friday 11th September

• Mike Haywood, who lives in the area, is doing a presentation on the 'Myths and Reality of the Voyage of the Mayflower ' on Monday 28th September

• Gocha Wellness organised a Salsa Night in March 2026 and raised over £200 for the Village Hall

• Jim Lockyer who is a structural engineer is helping with the building side of the project

• Jon King (KINGDESIGN, kingdesign1@mac.com / 07936 966971)  has created a new icon, header and footer for correspondence and notices and posters for our Fundraising Events

• Laura Done has extensive experience of grant writing and is helping with our grant submissions

• donating items for our auditions and raffles, with all processes going to this appeal.

Your contribution will make a lasting impact to our community and as a thank you, your name will be added to our 'Wall of Thanks', listing everyone who has helped to save the Downderry & Seaton Village Hall. This special recognition will be unveiled when the Village Hall reopens after the work is completed.

So if you can help please speak to a Trustee or email downderryandseatonvillagehall@gmail.com.

Your support is our future!