In January this year the WI in Playden began a fundraising campaign to save the Women's Institute Hall in Playden with an article in Rye News appealing for support and a letter circulated to residents of Playden. The hall, used by the WI as well as local groups including art, education and health classes for both children and adults, has been in urgent need of funds for routine maintenance and improvements.
We have indeed had a good response to the letter, including one extremely generous donation, although the donor has declined publicity. We have also received a couple of smaller, but still very much appreciated, donations.
So far, this has enabled us to undertake a range of improvements to the hall:
- Complete some vital upgrades to ensure the electrical installation is safe and fully compliant with current regulations.
- The emergency lighting has also been upgraded, and new bulkheads fitted where required.
- The cooker and microwave have been replaced.
We are also now able to organise further vital works:
- A new fire alarm system (panel and manual call points), detectors, door holders and a beacon for the disabled toilet are due to be fitted next week.
- The heating boost system is to be upgraded to make it more efficient and user friendly, the faulty heater in the hall is being replaced and a new socket is to be wired in to enable us to install an undercounter fridge in the kitchen (all booked for April 8).
- The water heater that feeds the sinks in the kitchen and the gents’ toilet has been on its last legs for some time, and we are currently looking at options to replace this. We are also obtaining quotes to replace the cupboards in the kitchen, or at the least the drawer fronts and cupboard doors, as the existing ones have nasty sharp edges and have seen better days.
Some major clearing of the car park and entrance has already been carried out, and the overgrown areas of the car park surface are due to be dug out and re-laid as necessary.
There is now a sign on the car park entrance which has already led to new hiring enquiries from people who previously were unaware that we had a car park.
So, much has been done, and much is still to be done.
We are also running fundraising events to maintain the momentum and are actively seeking new members to ensure that Playden WI itself also survives.
In response to the appeal for support Margot Dixon has begun a gentle yoga class in the hall. For details see her article this week.
