About the hall
The West Ashling and Funtington District Hall is for everyone.
West Ashling Village Hall
In 1920 the newly formed Women's Institute began fundraising to build their own hall. The first president, Mrs Padwick, lived in the Red House and gave part of her garden for building to begin early in 1923. At a cost of £900 the hall was opened in September of that same year and more money was raised to equip it. For instance, chairs were bought from Derry and Toms for 4 shillings and threepence each.
in 1930 a cycle shed was built and a path laid. In 1931 it was wired for electricity. The improvements continued the next year when a well was dug for piped water and a cesspit added. This latter addition meant that cloakrooms could be added. The plot abutting Heather Close was purchased at a later date.
During the war the hall became HQ for the WI to issue ration books, billet evacuees and set up a canning and jam making centre. The hall caretaker and her husband were killed in a direct hit on their cottage in East Ashling. In 1947, with food rationing still on, money for repairs and new equipment was raised by selling Telfers meat pies (under government licence) at the rate of 600 a week for 5d each.
In 1964 a minor earthquake cracked the walls and damaged the roof so badly that the whole structure was declared unsafe. The surveyor at this time was Eddie Pack from Salthill Rd in Fishbourne. Being unable to fund the huge sums to put the building back into a safe condition, the WI handed over the hall to the parish. With local government grants and more fundraising the hall opened again in 1967.
Why not hire the hall for your function? The hall is available at very reasonable hourly rates for your club or society meetings, parties, wedding receptions or even fitness classes. (See Enquiries page for rates).
Hall facilities
The main hall can seat 100 in theatre style, or can be set up with tables to accommodate about 20 tables.
Approximately 100 chairs and 20 tables are available and included in the rental.
The stage has power and curtains along with overhead mountings for lighting.
The Jessie Sparks room is a side room and is often set up with a central table for about 12 people for meetings. It could be used for music practice, as a cloakroom, a bar and many other purposes.
There is a kitchen with workspace and electricity is supplied via £1 coin meters. Heating to the hall is by overhead electric radiant heaters.
There are ladies and gents toilets with hand washing facilities.
The hall is accessed via a gentle ramp with handrails.
Off street parking is available at the village hall for village hall users. The car park is not a public car park, and the
accessway to Heather Close is not a public right of way. Anyone using these facilities do so at their own risk including
any vehicle parked there.
The village hall reserves the right to remove any unauthorised vehicle. If the car park is full, anyone parking on
Southbrook Road is requested to park lawfully, not on the pavement and not blocking any resident’s access.
If you would like to donate via Gift Aid please download one of the forms below and send to the treasurer as indicated.
Gift Aid for multiple donations
Hall Management Committee
Chairman-Ms Jane Mottershead- trustees@westashling.org
Secretary-Mr Dick Nicholson- trustees@westashling.org
Treasurer-Mr Richard Worsley – rfworsley752@gmail.com
Bookings Manager- Mrs Kim Harrison- bookings@westashling.org
Buildings Manager- Mrs Kim Harrison- kimharrisonnpautos@gmail.com