Does village need village hall?

A COUNCILLOR who believes a village should have a village hall has been set the task of showing there is a demand for one.
Cllr Tudor Pole (pictured) has been asked to prove the need for a village hall or community centre at Stockton Heath, after raising the issue at the council’s monthly meeting.
Members agreed unanimously to support the idea if a site became available – and if a demand from the public could be shown.
Cllr Pole – founder of the annual Stockton Heath Festival – said he had been approached by a resident who believed a need existed for a hall.
He said: “I have myself noted a shortage of suitable premises when events are being organised for the festival.
“If we had a hall, we could hold our meetings in it and it could also be let out for community events.
“I am wondering if there would be support for building a hall if a suitable site became available.”
Cllr Wendy Emsley said there had been previous attempts to provide a village hall, one by converting the former fire station and another by building on land at the rear of Chapel Lane.
But the meeting heard both attempts had failed because of objections from nearby residents.
Chairman Cllr Stephen Taylor said: “”We don’t know if there is a demand – we need to find out.”
It was agreed that Cllr Pole should investigate the likely demand for a hall.