Existing members include: Rob Traynor, Jacqui Reid, Brian Rippon, Elizabeth
Evans, Lucy Mason, Andrew Dyson, Brendan Heneghan and Ben Shaw
Regular hall hirers are returning and bookings continue to come in on a
regular basis. There have been no major problems requiring large capital
expenditure and UVHAT remains in a good financial position.
The hall remains in good condition with kitchen issues sorted. The ladies and
disabled toilets, although functional, are still in need of upgrading and funds
are available. We have been let down by builders – not turning up, not
providing a quote. The working group are considering dividing the project
into smaller tasks i.e. plumbing, carpentry, decorating – in order to attract
tradesmen. A paid cleaner is still used.
The Upton Photographic Competition continues and the ‘winter’ winners will
soon replace the existing pictures in the foyer.
Car parking issues have been raised by hall users and local residents.
Work on sorting out the guttering is progressing and small maintenance
projects are being sorted by committee members.
Rob Traynor
Chair, UVHAT

Following last month’s Annual Parish Meeting (APM) and the subsequent
write up in Upton News, the trustees of UVHAT, the trust which manages
Upton Village Hall, hope villagers find the following information helpful.
We were dismayed to learn for the first time by reading in the Upton News
that the meeting felt strongly that “UVHAT was not transparent in its
operation…concern was expressed that there was a lack of involvement with
the village and it was failing in its role as the centre of the community and
was merely a “room for hire”. We hope the Upton Parish Council members,
who are also trustees, were able to help reassure those villagers who
attended the APM that this is not the case.
First, we would like to thank all the villagers whom regularly hire the hall
for their own private events, attend the wide range of clubs and classes
which are on at the hall and also support and attend the village events held
at the hall. We are also grateful for the many kind messages we get
regarding the running of the hall and the facilities.
The village hall website www.uptonvillagehall.co.uk contains all the
information on what’s on at the hall each week, its availability, how to hire
and about the running of the hall. For those new to the village there is a
discount on hire of the hall if you live in the village – currently just £8 an
hour for use of the whole hall.
Who manages the village hall?
The trustees, all of whom are residents of Upton, are listed on the website:
Mr A Dyson (Treasurer)
Mrs L Evans
Mrs L Mason
Mrs J Reid (Secretary)
Mr B Rippon
Mr R Traynor (Chair)
Mrs J M West
Mr B Shaw (Appointed Member representing Upton Parish Council)
Mr B Heneghan (Appointed Member representing Upton Parish Council)
The address of the Trust is Autumn Leaves, High Street, Upton, OX11 9JE.
Registered as a Charity, 8 November 1990, Charity No. 1000813 our annual
financial history [total income & expenditure only] and charity information is
publicly available at
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/
charity-details/1000813
How to contact us
If you would like to contact the trustees about anything regarding the village
hall please email trustees@uptonvillagehall.co.uk or if it in regards to a
booking or use of the hall please email
bookings@uptonvillagehall.co.uk.
These details are also on the website and please note we are a separate
entity from Upton Parish Council (UPC), although members of UPC are
represented as trustees – so if you have any concerns or ideas about the
hall please contact us directly.
Purpose of the trust
Our aim and responsibility, which is set out in the constitution of the trust
is to provide a facility and ensure it is maintained for use by the village and
the local community. The current wording is:
The Property and the trust fund and its income shall be applied for the
purposes of a village hall for the purpose of the inhabitants of the Parish
of Upton without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability,
nationality, race or political, religious or other opinion including the use
of the Property for meetings, lectures and classes or forms of recreation
and leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and with the
object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.
UVHAT has always been keen to support whole village activities, we
provide free hall use for village events such as the Fete, Uptonogood, the
recent Coronation party and numerous residents participate in some of the
regular bookings such as the gymnastics, karate, yoga, dog training, Wine
Club, Brownies etc while others make use of the venue for private
functions. (We are the cheapest village hall in the surrounding area and we
think one of the best!).
When we are in fundraising mode we also put on different kind of events
for the village. Currently we have saved enough funds for an upgrade to
our toilet facilities – like so many we have been struggling to find
contractors who have availability to take on this project, although with
new leads we are hopeful this will be done soon. If you have any ideas on
further improvements to the facilities please get in touch with us.
Would you like to be a trustee?
We are currently on the lookout for new trustees to join us from the
village. If you are interested in becoming a trustee or learning more about
it please contact trustees@uptonvillagehall.co.uk
Next UHVAT Management Meeting
The next management meeting of the trust is in on Wednesday, 14 June at
7.45pm. If you would like anything raised at this meeting or would like to
attend please email trustees@uptonvillagehall.co.uk
Jacqui Reid
N.B.
A Chairman and Deputy should have been elected at the AGM in February
but it was cancelled at the last minute and the election is carried over to
the June meeting.
Anyone who is available and wants to play a part in furthering the success
of such a valuable village asset is encouraged to attend. – Editor