Village Institute

 

William and Francoise at the Village Institute 

24 High Street

Contact:
WILLIAM SELLWOOD,
Institute Manager and
Bookings Clerk
Tel: 0870 092 3774

 A Village hall for all

   The Institute was established by a Trust Document in 1925, whereby the Trustees were authorised to construct a building to act as a centre for the residents of Longstanton where clubs, societies etc. could hold their meetings; and for public use as a general purpose meeting hall. It is still maintained by the Trustees, and is non-profit making - all monies collected from charges for hiring go directly towards the day to day running and maintenance of the building.

  The current Chairman of the Trustees is Cllr. Michael Cartwright of Green End Farm, Over Road, Longstanton, tel: 01954 781 275. The Trustees are all Parish Councillors.

Fees:

Our hourly rate for booking, at whatever time of day or day of the week is £10.00.

  For regular weekly/monthly users we are able to reduce the charge to £8.00 per hour, as less Caretaking attendance/attention is normally needed. 

Availability:

    The regular weekly schedule is  listed in the Community Calendar.
   At other times the building is normally available for hire as per the following list (which will change from time to time).
Please note that we do not take regular bookings for Saturdays, as this would limit the availability for one-off parties etc.

Sundays varying, please call to check
Mondays free from noon to 6pm. available some mornings and evenings
Tuesdays free from noon to 6pm and 8pm onwards except 1st of month
Wednesdays free from noon to 6pm
Thursdays free from noon all day out of term
Fridays free from noon onwards
Saturdays please call to arrange any one-off events that take your fancy

   It is an ideal venue for children's events (the building and grounds are as safe and secure as we can make them) and parties for adults (yes - alcohol is permitted on the premises, although you must not sell it or charge for it). We have a Public Entertainment Licence for events (although we do ask for music to stop by about 11 pm out or respect for people living within earshot). 

Facilities:

We offer perfectly adequate facilities:
  • A large main hall with a sprung wooden dance floor; with partition doors halfway through In 2006 we spent a four-figure sum having the entire premises redecorated
  • The facilities are cleaned and maintained to a high standard every day of the week
  • Central heating throughout, adjustable by thermostat
  • Modest but sufficient kitchen facilities: a gas cooker, microwave oven, kettles. assorted crockery and cutlery. At present you need to provide your own glasses for wine and beer - perhaps via the local supermarket free-of-charge hiring scheme?
  • The ordinary ladies and gents toilet arrangements; with an additional large facility for those with special needs for extra wide cubicles for wheelchair use, etc. Also an ideal quiet space for nursing mothers who want a bit of privacy
  • Tables and chairs are available as you would expect: we can seat about sixty adults, with a total capacity of eighty or so. This is our maximum to comply with fire regulations
  • We have a piano which is serviceable, and a small home electronic organ which can be used by adults
  • The smaller rear room, which houses the Access Point community computers, can also be booked for small groups for meetings of up to ten persons.
  • Feel free to use the internal and external notice boards for publicity for any events you may wish (but no commercial advertisements, please)

  We simply ask that you treat the building and contents with respect (not damaging our new redecoration by sticking or tacking anything to the walls; or dragging tables across the polished floors); and leave everything in the condition in which you hope to find it. Just secure the doors and turn the lights off before you leave! 

A good venue to run your club:

  Have you any particular passion that is unexploited but legal? Have you ever thought about arranging a weekly or monthly meeting for those with the same weird passion?

Anyone can use the building to run a club catering for any interest within reason!  We would charge as per normal for the use of the building, but it would only take a few members’ contributions to cover costs.

Bring your own tea and coffee or something more substantial and enjoy yourselves. 

Once again, just call the Bookings Clerk's number for a chat: come and have a look around and see if the building would suit you.

 

Contact:

The telephone number for the Bookings Clerk is 0870 092 3774.

We use an 0870 number as it can be transferred to wherever I happen to be at the time!

WILLIAM SELLWOOD
Institute Manager and Booking Clerk