A fantastic opportunity arose to buy the Etherington Arms Public House in March 2010 and turn it into a new Village Hall to enhance the community facilities in the village of Holton-le-Clay.
The Parish Council have a government loan for the purchase of the building, being repaid over a 15 year fixed period.
There were originally 12 members of Holton le Clay Multi Purpose Educational Resource Centre (HLC MERC) a charity set up to fund raise for and manage the Village Hall.
They worked hard to promote the facility and regularly held fund raising events.
The Fund Raising was Car Boot Sales, Victorian Christmas Markets and Christmas and Summer Fayres jointly with the Church Council (HLC PCC).
HLCMERC were able to obtain grant funding from WREN, LCC and ELDC which, along with contributions from HLCPCC and HLC Parish Council, allowed to employ a firm of builders Byatt and Board to begin renovation of the ground floor of the Village Hall.
The Village Hall opened in May 2014 offering 2 large rooms for hire along with catering and toilet facilities. The rooms were quickly booked up for a variety of regular classes such as Tai Chi, Pilates, Slimming World, Ballroom dancing, New Age Curling and childrens dance classes.
The Village Hall also became popular for childrens birthday parties at weekends.
Fundraising events continued to be held by HLCMERC and in 2019, the renovation of the first floor was completed providing lift access to another 2 smaller rooms for hire along with a separate small kitchen and unisex toilet.
HLCMERC continue to manage the building and continue to fund raise.
Funds raised can now be used to enhance the Village Hall and support Holton le Clay Parish Council in maintaining and improving Holton le Clay.
For bookings and more information, please visit the website at: http://holtonleclayvillagehall.co.uk/
