2015 Newly painted exterior

And inside, a Summer Tea Party

BACKGROUND:

The Village Hall was moved from a previous location in Wales where it was used as a canteen for construction workers building the dams, and brought to the existing location behind the Red Lion Hotel in the 1940s. In 2015 challenging steps leading to the village hall were replaced by a driveable access making it much easier to use for anyone who cannot walk the steep incline and also easier to unload deliveries at the hall. The accommodation and facilities are basic, but it has been used for a variety of purposes including village meetings, lectures, dances, keep-fit, tai chi, funeral teas, parties, school leadership courses etc. There is a rudimentary stage. The Hall is on Welsh Water. The kitchen has a tea urn, microwave, electric cooker, refrigerator/ freezer, electric kettles, crockery, cutlery and glasses. The capacity is approximately 100 standing, while there is seating and tables for about 60 persons. Tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery can be hired for outside functions.

EVENTS

B&B Defib Status

Progress is being made! As of 27 July 2023:

MARKET DATES

Always more social than market!

Our monthly market is held on the second Friday of each month from 10am until noon. Our main focus is to provide space for a chat, a drink and a piece of homemade cake. Some months will feature crafts, art work, produce, plants, cakes, jams, chutneys and eggs for sale. If you love birds and wildlife, you will love the homemade cards for all occasions.

If you would like to sell something, homemade or not, come along on the day. Have a table for only £1. No need to book in advance, just turn up on the day. The hall is open for set up by 9am.

Alison's yummy cakes are always available for purchase and consumption. Contact Philip Bauer on 07849 474 903 or email if you have questions. Hope to see you there!

Defibrillator Training We welcome your feedback as to how to get communicate this information to all. The more familiar we all are with the defibrillator and how to use it, the more relaxed and in control we can be if/when the need arises. Anne Owen, our village contact for AED queries. If you have any ideas, please let Anne know, on 07887 636 384.

VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS

WiFi in the Village Hall
We now have internet access available for use at the hall. Meetings, clubs, private parties, whenever you need a venue for your activities.

If you would like to book the village hall for any occasion, please call Lesley Hickin on 07761 489465 or email.

Regular Bookings in the VH:  Covid-19 guidelines are in place and working well. The focus remains to provide a safe, clean meeting environment while not interfering with the enjoyment of the classes.

The village hall is open for "business" and is currently being used as follows:

The Craft Group, now called the Sew 'n Sews, meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month

Tai Chi meet Wednesday evenings from 7pm.

Art Group meets in the village hall on Friday afternoons from 1-4pm

The Village Hall Committee meet when necessary

The Monthly Market is held on the second Friday of each month, from 10am until noon

Two Book Clubs now meet monthly

2021-2022 COMMITTEE OFFICERS:

Officers are Anne Owen, Chair / Treasurer; Lesley Hickin, Secretary / Booking Secretary

VILLAGE HALL PROJECTS

New windows and insulation for the VH  2020
In December 2020, thanks again to a Covid grant from the Hereford Council, wonderful new PVC windows were purchased and installed by Window Wise of Hereford in our 1939 timber-clad village hall plus all of the walls were insulated with Rockwool insulation, completed on-time and within budge by Mr Paul Stewart and crew. At the same time, Paul and team also built a scaffold platform outside of the village hall kitchen door, allowing for safe emergency exit and space for a coverage wood store.  This latter enhancement satisfied a concern from our self-assessed, Autumn 2020 village hall health and safety inspection.

All fourteen large windows and both small loo windows with Cottage-style, white PVC windows, opening from the top with Georgian Bar insets were replaced.  They are A energy rated and look very similar to our old windows but will be maintenance-free.  We considered custom-built hardwood windows but the cost to built would have consumed our total grant of £10,000.

We also plan to insulate the roof.  Currently, there isn't any insulation. We hope to remove the corrugated metal roof and insert a layer of rigid insulation.  The look of the village hall will not change, inside nor out. That is our goal.

All of these improvements are making the hall a warmer, safer venue for the community.  We only have 14 years remaining on our lease with the Red Lion so we need to spend accordingly.

Village Hall Seating Area 2018
Have you seen the changes behind our Village Hall?  The old, leaning pine tree has been cut down, before it blew down onto the hall.  The bank at the back of the hall, along the south side of the building has been excavated and landscaped creating a seated patio area when the weather is nicer.  30kg of daffodil bulbs have been planted around the patio and bank, ready to welcome spring.  All achieved will local volunteers and workers.  It takes a village.

Improved Drive-able Access Project 2016   for the Bredwardine and Brobury Village Hall: Did I mention last month that we have a drive-able access to the village hall?  Isn't it just great?  The drive and turning area is proving to be exactly what we needed for everyone whether dropping someone or something off at the hall. Many, many thanks again to Paul, Richie and Panda who worked to our budget and completed the drive in a very timely manner!  And of course, without Michael Taylor's generosity in allowing us turning access this would not have happened.  Many thanks, Mr and Mrs Taylor!  As I mentioned earlier in this month's news, we completed the project with no additional funding. This was mainly possible due to the annual revenue from our photo voltaic solar panels which we installed in December 2009 thanks to the insight of Patrick Dyke.  In addition, we did have two anonymous donations towards the drive-able access from families who wish to remain nameless, which kept us in the black.  Thank you!  For 2016, the Village Hall Committee needs your support at our events. One last reminder. The turning area at the top of the access to the VH is a bit tight.  So please take care when reversing.

AWARDS FOR ALL GRANT TO FUND KITCHEN PROJECT:
Bredwardine and Brobury Village Hall Committee applied for and received an 'Awards for All' grant totalling £7,487, to refurbish our village hall kitchen. The Committee organised a Kitchen Sub-committee to run the project, who in turn accepted bids from local builders to install the new components. As part of the grant application, the Village Hall Committee agreed to contribute £1,000 of our own money to the project.

Due to the age of our vintage 1939 structure, additional costs were discovered during the course of the project. Our Sub-committee approached the Wyeside Parish Council, asking for an additional £700, which they generously granted.

Electricity was brought up to code to support the new appliances. Ceiling and walls were painted prior to installing the new vinyl floor. Old kitchen "bits and pieces" were sold or given away in an effort to recycle and reuse. Installation started the third week of August and now Bredwardine and Brobury Village Hall is the proud "owner" of an "award winning" kitchen!

A big thank you to Awards for All for the generous grant to install our completely modern kitchen. Many thanks to Wyeside Parish Council for contributing additional funds to cover unforeseen costs. Without both funding sponsors, our Bredwardine & Brobury Village Hall funds could not have covered the project. Many hours of sweat equity from a few VHC members made it possible to serve tea and cakes for our September Market using the new facilities. Eileen and Peter Elderton officially opened the kitchen. A great time was had by all. Two lovely ladies who lived in Bredwardine many years ago came along on the day to help us celebrate. Ah, memories! Thank you to everyone for your support. Now, photos of the project, click here

For more information about available A4A grants, please follow this link http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT:

PAST EVENTS:

2022 Quiz in the Hall - Saturday, March 26th

Sue Miles organised our general knowledge quiz in the village hall on the night. Thirty-two people attended. A cheese board served as our light supper. Proceeds from the entrance fee, raffle and bar, the village hall netted over £200.

2022 Foxwhelp Morris Wassail - Saturday, January 15th
This year our wassail was held outside the village hall, not in the Orchard across from the Red Lion as usual. The Morris dancing started in the Red Lion car park and proceeded with torches to the "pop up orchard". A simple, hot lunch of soup, shepherd's pie or chili was served in the hall. Bar available. Music, song and dance was enjoyed by all in the hall.

2022 Pantomime Outing
Our VHC paid for the Bredwardine and Brobury children and one parent to attend Jack and The Beanstalk at The Courtyard in Hereford on Saturday January 8th. Many thanks to Jane Plaisted for organising the day. There were nine children under 16 and seven adults who enjoyed the day.

2021 November 6th, Nibbles with the Neighbours, our annual November get together in the Village Hall where new and old neighbours can meet up and reconnect. Drinks and snacks were provided, with a focus on local produce and businesses. Knapp Gin, Gwatkins Cider and Neals Yard Creamery all provided food and drink. Live music was performed by Lyndon Eatough-Smith on his electric fiddle and clarinet. All supported by Village Hall funds. The evening was well attended and a good time was had by all.

The 2021 Village Hall AGM was held on Tuesday September 21st at 7pm. There was an election of the committee. Nigel Sellar resigned from the committee as treasurer. Many thanks to Nigel for all of his hard work in organising our funds. Andrew Head resigned as secretary but agreed to stay on the committee. Many many thanks for reporting the minutes accurately and just-in-time. Two new members joined the committee. Kate Upton and Hannah Campion. Although just moving to Bredwardine in May, they both have become involved in village life. Welcome! Liquid refreshments were served. Discussion focused on how best to spend the Covid stimulus grants that we received.

Our August Bank Holiday Monday BBQ was held on August 30th 2021 . The bar opened from 4pm with food served a little later. This year no food was cooked on site due to hygienic concerns. Pulled pork and beef rolls, salads, vegetarian and vegan alternatives were provided by the Deli in Talgarth. Live music was performed by a local musician on his electric fiddle. One hundred people plus children attended on the night. The festivities continued until dusk. A good time was had by all!

By the time you read this the first village hall event of 2021 will have happened, Pizza in the Orchard, Sunday, 18th July, 2021, which was partly funded by a Covid grant from Hereford Council. 

Many thanks to all the committee members and friends who made all this possible and so enjoyable, and to Hamish Light for the delicious pizzas.  

2020 Village Children's Party
This year's Christmas pantomine at the Hereford Courtyard featured Cinderella.  Twenty-three local children and parents attended. A big thank you to Jane Plaistad who organised us all and to the Jarvis Charities for their donation to our event.

2019 Village Hall Celebration, Saturday 16th November
Our village hall has resided in the village for 80 years. We celebrated the hall's birthday by showing our film Crafta Webb, produced 10 years prior and staring local Bredwardinian and Broburian actors. Crafta Webb was a little hamlet in Bredwardine that sprung up one mile up Bredwardine Hill in the mid-1800s, then disappeared by the early 1900s. Adrian and Rachel Lambert produced the Rural Media film and will gave an introduction. Tea, coffee and cakes were available to enjoy during the film. After the film, game and vegi stews were served for supper plus cider, beer and wine. The evening organised itself. Once everyone had a plate and a glass the reminiscing began about life in the villages with those who have lived here the longest. Memories were shared and a good time was had by all!

2019 August Bank Holiday Monday BBQ, 26th August Our annual village BBQ was held in the Orchard opposite the Red Lion Hotel, Bredwardine. What a gorgeous day! It was so hot and sunny at 4pm when the BBQ started that no one was interested in food until later. The conversation flowed. It was a great evening. All the burgers, hot dogs, grilled seafood and salads disappeared by dark. The raffle was a great success as always. We netted £734 on the day. All proceeds in aid of our Village Hall. Thank you to all who organised the day, set up the orchard, cooked, served, sold raffle tickets and supported us. Someone from outside the village was heard to say that "this is the best BBQ in the county". I would agree

2019 Heartstart Training will took place on Thursday, 20th June 2019, from 7pm-9pm in the Bredwardine and Brobury Village Hall. In our village this is an bi-annual event. The two hour session addressed topics as follows:

Would you know what to do if your loved one suffered a life threatening emergency? If not, book a place now at our FREE Two hour HEARTSTART Course. Booking is essential. You will learn how to: call for help, assist someone who is unconscious, recognise the warning signs of a heart attack, deal with choking or serious bleeding and perform CPR. Simple skills, save lives.

Herefordshire Heartstart is affiliated to the British Heart Foundation, but as a local initiative we do not receive any funding from them, nor the government for our scheme. We rely on donations and grants to keep this vital service running.  www.herefordshireheartstart.org Twitter @HeartStart_HFD. Herefordshire Heartstart Registered charity number 1082309.

Annual Bredwardine & Brobury ?? Quiz ?? 2019  did happen and a good time was had by all!  This year's quiz was very well attended on  Friday, 29th March   in the village hall.  The questions were thought-provoking, masterfully prepared by Sue Miles.  The Mulled wine flowed, deliciously mixed by Alan Maddison.  The Sausage casserole and garlic bread "disappeared".  The Raffle prizes on offer were collected by Jan Staley.  While Jules Miller made sure that no one regretted not being offered the opportunity to purchase a ticket or three.  It takes a village to hold an event.  Thank you to one and all who helped make it happen.  A net profit of £180 was made on the night with proceeds going towards VH maintenance.

Hereford Times Bredwardine & Brobury News Correspondent 2019
Sue Miles has very kindly agreed to take on the task of sending details of our local events to the Hereford Times.  Not missing a beat, Sue has already begun to report. Final total donation to the Acorns for 2018 as a result of HT reporting was £250.  What a busy village we are!!

Many thanks to the Jarvis Charity for the on-going support of our villages.  For the past several years the Jarvis Charity has donated money to supplement the Bredwardine and Brobury childrens' party.  In recent years, the VHC have taken the children to see the pantomime at the Courtyard in Hereford.  The Jarvis donation allows us to take all children in both villages up to and including the age of 16 plus one parent each for free.  This year 22 children and parents attended plus an additional eleven paying-adults attended the performance of Peter Pan on Saturday, January 12th, 2019.  Tinkler Bell stole the show!

The VHC would also like to thank the Jarvis Charity for their additional financial support of our villages' Autumn Project this year.  The VHC employed local builders to excavate and landscape an area on the south side of the village hall for outside seating in the warmer weather.  Thank you!

Wassail, Morris Dancing and Mummer's Play, Saturday, 19th January 2019, 6.30pm
A great time was had by all, especially those who love a fire.  Despite the rainy day, the downpour stopped by evening and approximately 75 people attend.  Torches were provided by the Morris Dancers to light our way to the orchard across the road from the Red Lion Hotel in Bredwardine. Fires circling the chosen cider apple tree lighted our path.  A good harvest was toasted with a drink of cider.  Morris Dancers entertained the spectators before moving on to the village hall where they performed a Mummer's Play.  Mulled Cider was the drink of the night plus vegi casseroles, sausages and garlic bread were provided by the VHC.  Lovely evening.

Sunday, November 11th 2018, Armistice Commemorative Village Meal  The Village Hall was filled to capacity as Bredwardine and Brobury came together to commemorate those who had gone before.  This was truly a village event, organised, supported and attended by all.  Many thanks to everyone for making the evening a success.

Our annual Quiz Night was on Friday the 12th of January 2018   in the Village Hall.  A brilliant time was had by all including the team who came last and won a nice bottle of wine for their efforts.  Triumphant in defeat.  Sue Miles excelled as quiz master but baffled many of us, saying that many questions were "easy".   The soups were tasty, the sweet bites just enough to satisfy.  A profit of £97 was made on the night which will be used for maintenance of the village hall.  Thank you one and all!

Our Village Christmas Tea, on Saturday 9th December 2017  was well attended.  And what a welcome venue it was with Cathy's Christmas tree completing the Christmas setting and the woodburner warming the hall throughout.  The Village Hall made a profit of £75 towards our maintenance of the hall.  Thank you to everyone who prepared for the event, who baked the yummy cakes and pies and who served on the day.

Meet the Neighbours,  Saturday evening, 11th November 2017:  What a turnout!  Rumours have it that there were somewhere between 70 and 100 people who attended on the night!   A common question when moving to an area is 'Where do you live in the village?'.  The answer now hangs on our wall in the Village Hall.  It is a hand-drawn map of the houses in Bredwardine and Brobury with pins displaying the home-owners name.  Great talking point and helpful too!  Homemade chili, nachos and a selection of homemade cakes were prepared by many of us in the village.  Name tags helped introduce new and longtime residents of our villages.  Piss Poor Paul and Andrew, a Latrine, serenaded us with their melodious voices.  Their performance included Brobury Bell, a song written by Paul about the Brobury Church bell which now resides in St Andrew's Church, Bredwardine.  How many villages have a song written about one of their village church bells?  We are special. All agreed that it was a successful event and long overdue since the last time we organised a meet the neighbours evening was 1999.  Thank you to all who helped and attended!

August Bank Holiday Monday BBQ, 28th August
The weather makes all the difference.  This is the second year in a row that the sun shone all day.  It was brilliant! We sold out of drinks, which is always a good sign plus there were only 9 sausages and 13 beef burgers left.  The salmon fillets and sea bass were delicious and "disappeared" in no time.  Although the purpose of the BBQ is to be a social event for the village, we made a tidy profit of £670, all proceeds to the Village Hall.   Many, many thanks to all who helped prepare, set up, take down, serve and cook for our event.  It takes a village to run a successful BBQ.

Eileen's Celebration Visit
On Saturday, 6th May 2017, Eileen travelled to Bredwardine to visit. Some of her friends organised a Bring and Share Party for her at the Village Hall. A good time was had by all! The photos say it all.

Diamond Jubilee Celebration : June 3rd and 4th, 2012
The rains stopped, the sun shone and life was perfect on Bredwardine Hill, for the Diamond Jubilee picnic and beacon last Monday. Many thanks to the Bowen family for allowing us to have the village festivities in their fields. Special thanks to Clive for building the perfect pyre and transporting chairs to the "hill top".

Coffee, Cafe and Produce Market with an Alternative Energy Boost !!
Our October 15th, 2010 market with an "alternative energy boost" was brilliant!  As part of h.Energy Awareness Week our market focused on local sustainable projects including our 18 solar photovoltaic panels.  The tea and cakes were yummy as always.  There was plenty of produce, cheese, firewood and crafts to satisfy shopping needs.  Thank you to everyone who participated and attended.  Unofficial count on the door totalled 55.  Special thanks to Ali and Kate from h.Energy who organised this successful week of event!

Our little 1939, timber-clad village hall was nearly bursting at the seams with all of the "energy" generated by alternative energy discussions. 

Special Celebration!
Our new photovoltaic panels are up and running, so it was time to celebrate our achievement!  Forty-five villagers, neighbours and friends turned out on Friday, 9th April to toast Greenearth Energy, Ltd, who installed our panels.  Greenearth Energy answered questions and the Hereford Times photographed the event.  If that was not enough, we held our first Coffee, Cakes and Produce Market of 2010.  The sun shone making our solar panels work overtime.

The 70th "Birthday" Celebration of the Bredwardine & Brobury Village Hall: May 9th, 2009

Bredwardine and Brobury Village Hall marked the 70th Anniversary of its original opening last Saturday, 9th May with a day of activities for the whole community. The effort was well worth it!

Teas were served in the afternoon when visitors were able to look at a display about the Hall which included details of its history along with photographs and memorabilia from the whole period from 1939 to 2009. In the adjacent field there were activities for the children who enjoyed them enthusiastically.

During the afternoon the recently refurbished toilets, with a new ‘disabled’ cubicle, were formally opened by local resident David Hughes. A Big Thank You to "Awards for All" for their grant!

A photo competition showing current villagers during their early years was the focus of much interest and amusement, and some incredulity when the results were revealed during the evening.

True to tradition a dance was held in the evening, with the "Gentlemen of Jive" providing the excellent music, which was very well attended, and much enjoyed by the large and very lively number of people, of all ages, bringing to a close a wonderful day of celebration which was a tribute to the affection in which so many hold this venerable building! Although not a profit making celebration, close to £400 was raised for village hall funds.

Previous to the celebration day a dedicated band of helpers painted and decorated the Hall ready for the day, and organised the event. It was wonderful to see so many people attending, especially those, now living elsewhere, who returned to the Village Hall bringing their memories with them, and greatly adding to the happy atmosphere of the whole day. Thank you to one and all who helped make the celebration a great success!

The hall is a registered Charity Number 1041618.

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Last updated:July 27, 2023