Beech Hill Memorial Hall's FAQs
We get asked a lot of questions about hiring the hall. Here are a few of the commonest ones we get asked.
We hope you enjoy your event in the Hall and have memorable day here. We would just remind you that the Hall is a community resource and a memorial to those who lost their lives in the service of their country and should be respected as such. The memorials in the Hall should not be touched or removed.
For fire safety purposes, the hall capacity is 130 (standing only). For practical purposes, we recommend a maximum of 100 people, fewer if you are using a lot of space for dancing and other entertainment - say 80. We have seating for about 100 people and 10 trestle type-tables for use inside the hall which can take 8 persons around the table.
If you are a Beech Hill resident, then yes. If you know someone who lives in Beech Hill and would act as your guarantor, we would be able to accept your booking.
If you don't have a village guarantor then we are very sorry but we will have to decline your booking. There are a number of other Halls locally that may be able to help you. We hope you are able to find a suitable venue.
The Booking Secretary may make an exception for any regular hirers that we know well.
Yes, the hall is licensed for the sale for alcohol.
Yes. The kitchen is well-equipped with 2 large ovens, microwave, large capacity urn and larder fridge. There's plentiful crockery, glasses and cutlery, to be cleaned and put away if used in cupboards/ drawers. The switch for the water heater for washing up is in the cupboard below the mug cupboard at the rear of the kitchen. Please switch it off before leaving.
If you are planning on doing your own catering, you are advised to provide trays, bowls, chopping boards, kitchen knives, etc. Please advise us via the booking form in this case.
Yes of course, provided they each carry public liability insurance of at least £1m and you tell us who you are using on the booking form. We will remind you that there are neighbours nearby and excessive noise is not acceptable. BBQs and hog roasts are acceptable in the grounds subject to due care and attention.
The hall is a very popular venue for children's parties. However in consideration of our neighbours we ask that any activities likely to be noisy or with amplified sound, such as DJs, children's entertainers, bouncy castles, etc are set up and used indoors only, to minimise noise disturbance.
Yes you can, but only indoors to minimise the disturbance to our neighbours. There is a photo here to show that bouncy castles fit in the main hall.
We don't want you to be disappointed that your bouncy castle won't fit inside the hall. So, before you hire your bouncy castle please ensure that it is less than 3.5 metres high, and no more than 5 metres wide, and 5 metres deep/long.
These dimensions will still allow adequate access to the building's exits if you need to leave the building quickly in the event of fire.
IMPORTANT
Please be advised that if you use a bouncy castle for your event you do so on the understanding that in the event of injury, or death, whilst using/erecting/dismantling the bouncy castle, or as a result of someone else using/erecting/dismantling the bouncy castle that you are responsible for, you agree to expressly exclude Beech Hill Memorial Hall, it's committee members, board members, and/or volunteers from any kind of liability, howsoever caused, before, during, or after, your event.
There is a ramp to the main entrance suitable for wheelchairs and a disabled toilet. Our smaller breakout room is not accessable for disabled users due to a staircase up to it.
The Hall is very well insulated, and the heating comes on automatically from 8-10am and 5-8pm. There is a boost switch in the kitchen to extend the heating period for up to 2 hours, and a thermostat on the stairs to control how warm the hall gets. This should be re-set to 18oC before you leave.
Yes, but please use the hooks strategically placed around the hall for this purpose and do not attach anything to the walls. Blu-tac or similar fixings are not permitted. You can decorate the entrance area.
Yes there is a garden, which you are welcome to use. The garden is well fenced but does have a gate onto the road, hence we cannot guarantee it to be child-proof. We strongly suggest that an adult supervises the garden at all times when children are there.
Call the number(s) on the hall noticeboard in the porch and we will do what we can to remedy the problem. You will need a mobile phone with a signal as the hall has no telephone.
In the unlikely event of the fire alarm activating, the hall should be evacuated immediately, following the emergency exit signs out of the building. Occupants should assemble in the car park by the gates at the entrance and not re-enter the building until a volunteer arrives to de-activate the alarm and check the Hall.
If it is clear that the activation has been caused by an outbreak of fire, the Hirer should call the fire brigade giving the following address:
Beech Hill Memorial Hall
Wood Lane
Beech Hill
Berkshire RG7 2BE
Basically, as tidy as you found it, ready for the next user.
This means:
• We can help with glass and cardboard and plastic bottle recycling
• Mop/clean up any spills as they occur
• Sweep or vacuum the floors
• Clean kitchen surfaces and wipe tables
• Wash all glasses, plates and cutlery if you asked to use them and replace them in the cupboards or drawers
• Put tables and chairs back in their storage positions
• Report any breakages, damage and faults
• Ensure toilets have all been flushed
IMPORTANT
Bring your own black bin bags to line the hall waste bins. Please take all black bin bags and rubbish away when you leave. Please DO NOT leave rubbish in the Hall's black bin.
Yes, we have good wifi reception and the code can be provided free of charge.
We have off road parking suitable for about 10 cars on a hard surface in front of the hall, and an overflow area in good weather for another 20 cars. If the weather is bad then the overflow will be closed and you need to park in Wood Lane on ONE SIDE only to allow free flow of traffic. The Trustees would rather you parked within the premises than on the roads around the Hall/in the village.
No.You need to book enough time to allow yourself sufficient time to set up before your event and clean up afterwards. At our discretion, we may allow you to book time to clean up the following morning if your event finishes late.
No. But there may be opportunities by arrangement with the Bookings Secretary where your equipment may be brought in early or left overnight at your own risk.
We try to prevent 2 bookings in a row unless a local village user needs the hall. Therefore it is very unlikely that you will be rushed out or have to wait.
If you ask we will explain how to use the electric screen during your hire.
No, if required please supply your own.
We try to meet you at the hall at the agreed time, to answer questions and show you the facilities. When you arrive the main gates off Wood Lane should be open, but if they are closed, please wait for the volunteer to open them for you.
As we are all volunteers is not always possible to meet you in person. Should this happen we will call you to explain how to access the hall, and provide open-up and close-down instructions. We try to arrive at the end of your hire - but you may be asked to shut the doors and put lights out if no-one is available.
For all one-off and first-time hires this will be by bank transfer prior to the hire. The Treasurer will send an invoice with all the details required for payment. In exceptional circumstances only, this can be by cash or cheque on the day by arrangement with the Bookings Secretary. In this case please pay the volunteer that meets you at the Hall on the day.