A New Roof for Your Village Hall!
Investing in the Future
This summer we’re carrying out the biggest improvement to Lockerley & East Dean Village Hall for 30 years.
Our existing roof has served the community well for decades, but it has now reached the end of its working life. Thanks to funding from Test Valley Borough Council, support from Lockerley Parish Council and the generosity of our local community, we’re now able to replace the roof and install modern insulation that will help secure the Hall for many years to come.
Why are we replacing the roof?
The existing roof is made from asbestos cement tiles, a material that was widely used when the building was constructed. While asbestos cement is generally considered safe when it remains in good condition and undisturbed, the roof is reaching the end of its serviceable life and replacement is now the responsible long-term solution.
As part of the project, the existing roof will be carefully removed by licensed specialists before the new insulated roof is installed.
This project is about much more than replacing roof tiles.
The new roof will:
- Protect the building for future generations.
- Improve insulation with the aim of making the Hall warmer throughout the year.
- Reduce energy use and running costs.
- Create a more comfortable environment for all our users.
- Provide a strong foundation for future sustainability and resilience projects.
These improvements will help ensure the Hall remains an affordable, welcoming and well-used community facility for years to come.
Keeping the Hall Open
One of our priorities has been to keep disruption to a minimum.
Although scaffolding will be in place and parking arrangements may occasionally change, the Hall will remain open wherever it is safe to do so. Regular activities, clubs and events will continue throughout the project unless users are contacted directly.
Please bear with us while these important improvements take place, in particular with disruption to car parking.
A Community Project
This project has only been possible because of the support of many people and organisations.
We would like to thank:
- Test Valley Borough Council
- Lockerley Parish Council
- Our volunteers
- Our regular hall users
- Everyone who has supported our fundraising events
Every coffee morning, Lock Inn, Bingo night, makers markets and community event has helped us move one step closer to securing the future of the Hall.
What happens next?
Once the roof project is complete, our work doesn’t stop there.
The Hall Management Committee is continuing to explore ways to make the building even more sustainable, reduce running costs and improve the facilities available to our community.
This new roof is an important first step towards that vision.
Progress Updates
🏗️ ROOF UPDATE – PROGRESS WELL UNDERWAY!
There has been a huge amount happening above our heads at the Village Hall, and we’re delighted to report that around half of the roof is now free of its old tiles and well on its way towards being completed.
The old asbestos cement tiles are being carefully removed section by section and dealt with through the appropriate specialist waste arrangements. (For anyone wondering, the yellow skip on site contains ordinary building waste – the asbestos materials are being handled separately and placed in the specialist blue skip at the front of the Hall.)
And once those old tiles come off, there’s rather more involved than simply putting new ones back on!
On the section completed so far:
🔨 Old roof tiles removed
🔍 Roof timbers and rafters inspected – and we’re really pleased that only one rafter has needed replacing so far
🏠 New insulation installed between the rafters, with the required ventilation air gap – a particularly important improvement as the Main Hall roof has never previously been insulated
💨 New breathable roofing membrane fitted
🪵 New battens installed, ready to receive the new fibre cement slates
So although you can’t see the finished slates just yet, almost all of the important work underneath them has now been completed across this section of the roof.
The photographs really show the scale of what’s being achieved – and it’s quite something to see half of that enormous roof stripped back and rebuilt!
We were also delighted this week to welcome Cllr Stewart MacDonald and some of his colleagues from Test Valley Borough Council to see the work and progress for themselves.
Stewart has been a fantastic supporter and sponsor of this project from the outset, and it was lovely to be able to show him the transformation now taking place following all those months of planning and fundraising.
A huge thank you once again to everyone involved – and to our contractors, Tilbury & Wilding, who are making fantastic progress.
Next comes the really visible bit… the new slates! 👀🏠
We’ll keep you posted as our new roof continues to take shape.
Any questions or comments please contact us at: secretary@lockerleyvillagehall.org.uk