Find out more on Saturday 8 June at 10:30am
The project team will be holding an open meeting on Saturday 8 June at 10.30am for anyone interested in finding out more about the project and how they can help. To find out more or to express your interest please contact Beth Thomas on [email protected] or 07790 870 247. The project team are looking for people with commercial, financial, fundraising and community engagement skills along with experience in project management.
Background
Westbury Parish Hall has been serving the community of Westbury since 1873. It sits next to the Grade I listed All Saints’ Church in the centre of historic Westbury. In 2023 it celebrated 150 years of service to the community of Westbury.
The building is now in a very poor state and not fit for purpose. Over the past few years a small group of volunteers has been working to secure its long term future. The team has successfully obtained planning permission to redevelop the Hall and make the building fit for the next 150 years. They have consulted with a wide range of individuals and organisations and are keen to take part in ongoing discussions about improving Westbury’s Town Centre with Wiltshire and Westbury Town Councils.
Next steps
The next step is to create a new separate community charity to put the plans into action and take on the management of the Hall for the benefit of the community of Westbury. The team is seeking people to join this new charity to take care of the Hall and to undertake the necessary fundraising and complete the planned improvements.
Many older Westbury residents will have attended school in the Hall until it closed in the late 1960s and generations of young women have passed through as Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. Many more young people attended the Rainbow Play School or attended first aid classes as St John’s Ambulance Badgers and Cadets. It is in an increasingly poor state of repair which makes it difficult to hire out. If action is not taken the Hall is in danger of closing and its current users forced to find a new home. It would be a significant loss to Westbury if the Hall closed.
