Victoria Hall in Oakham, Rutland, launches £50,000 to secure its future
An historic town venue is appealing for £50,000 to keep its doors open to the public.
The Victoria Hall, in Oakham, is celebrating its 125th anniversary year, but while celebrating its past, the Grade II-listed building’s future is under threat as it struggles under significantly increased costs.
Money is urgently needed to support the ongoing running of the much-loved hall and to invest in improvements and new amenities for existing users and to attract new users.
It needs new boilers, roof repairs and disability access improvements, as well as refurbishment of the ballroom floor and redecoration.
Tom Tyler, chairman of the Victoria Hall trustees, said: “The Victoria Hall is supported by many volunteers, but needs a lot of money to run.
“We are an independent charity with no regular funding and desperately need to raise money to make improvements and keep the doors open.
“The hall belongs to the community and we want to see it thrive for another 125 years and beyond.”
The charity has set up a crowdfunding site at http://www.gofundme.com/support-the-victoria-hall for anyone interested in making a donation.
The charity’s trustees have also teamed up with Lucy Slessor to launch The Friends of Victoria Hall, a group of volunteers dedicated to fundraising events and initiatives for the hall.
Lucy has been involved in fundraising for a range of charities and chairs Oakham Pride.
“I love Oakham and I see the Victoria Hall as the heart of the town,” Lucy said.
“It has so much to offer our community which is why I am keen to develop Friends of the Victoria Hall.
Their first event will be a vintage tea party on Saturday, September 21, while further events are planned in the run-up to Christmas including a talent party and halloween party. Details will be announced soon.
Anyone interested in joining Lucy’s team can contact her at: friends@victoriahall.org
“We are delighted to have joined forces with Lucy and her team to launch the Friends of Victoria Hall to help with our fundraising and grow our team of volunteers,” Tom added.
“We hope as many people as possible visit the hall for the vintage tea party and subsequent events to support us in our fundraising efforts and enjoy seeing what the hall has to offer.”
The hall was built in 1839 by the Rutland Agricultural Society as a meeting place and library for local farmers and was called the Agricultural Hall.
In 1899 the hall became a registered charity and renamed Victoria Hall in honour of the late Queen Victoria.
It is still run by a board of volunteer trustees and relies on income generated from events bookings, project grants and its own fundraising.
Its main hall can accommodate 270 guests standing, or 180 seated, and can be hired for public events, private functions and classes.
A meeting room is also available to hire, while ground floor retail and office space can be rented, and the art gallery can be booked for exhibitions.
