Parochial Hall set to be rebuilt after bulldozing
A POPULAR church hall which was bulldozed after being deemed unsafe will rise from the ashes after a committee raised £5,000 for its rebuilding.
The Parochial Hall, in Darklands Road, Swadlincote was given the death knell in 2007 after structural experts expressed concerns about the safety of its wall, but it could now be rebuilt within five years.
The popular hall was used by a variety of groups including the Little Angels Pre- School and martial arts groups. It was also a venue for church meetings, wedding parties and Christening events.
Councillor Pat Murray, a member of nearby St Peter and Paul’s Church, which benefited financially from the hall, said it is now well on its way to being rebuilt.
He said: “It was a very widely-used hall and unfortunately now we haven’t got that facility.
“These groups (which used the hall) either disbanded or moved venues, so it would be lovely to have that back because there is absolutely nothing in that area for social groups — apart from the nearby Catholic Club, which is privately run.
“The church hall provided money for the church, for heating and general maintenance.
“Now the church just relies on the congregation.”
A social committee was set up six months ago and has already raised £5,000 through fund-raising events, but may take up to five years to raise the £100,000 estimated to be needed to rebuild the hall.
The building was owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham, which subsequently made the decision to bulldoze it.
Councillor Murray added: “It was always the plan to rebuild it.
“The hall was mucky and damp and no longer fit for purpose.
“We started a campaign to get funds to start building a hall in its place.
“It is quite important to rebuild it because we haven’t got anywhere to serve all the groups it had using it.”
The social committee now has a programme of fund-raising activities which include bingo, a spring fair, flower festivals, music concerts, a parish barbecue, a December raffle and Christmas carols.
