Recent News
Just before Christmas we had a new audio visual system installed in the hall. High definition projector and 3m screen, speakers and room camera for video conferencing facilities. We have also invested in acoustic improvements in the hall to make the most of the new equipment. We hope this will allow us to provide different events in the hall such as film nights and encourage other uses in the hall such as special interest talks and business meetings.
We have been lucky enough to secure grant funding from North Northamptonshire Council Community Funding scheme to improve the garden area - funding to erect a new storage shed, create wildflower areas, erect information boards on the local flora and fauna and purchase additional childrens toys for the garden area.
The hall and Facilities
Please see here for information regarding hire of the hall and equipment.
History
Francis Giffen Memorial Hall was built in 1979 and given to the village of Sudborough by resident Mrs Margaret Giffen, in memory of her late husband, Mr Francis Giffen.
Originally owned and managed by Sudborough Parish Council, since 2006 the hall has been in the care of Francis Giffen Memorial Hall, a charitable trust, which is run by a committee of Trustees, all residents of Sudborough. The hall is leased by the charity from Sudborough Parish Council on a 999-year lease.
The hall was upgraded in 2008 and in 2009, the village garden was created, thanks to grant funding. In 2009, the charity received a legacy (following Mrs Giffen’s death in November 2007) for future maintenance of the hall.
Ongoing funding comes from hire fees and charitable donations. In recent times, the charity has also received various local authority grants which have enabled the management committee to continue to maintain the hall while it was closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The objects of the charity
“The [hall] and the trust fund and its income shall be applied for the purposes of a village hall and to provide a children’s playground for the use of the inhabitants of the Parish of Sudborough without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, race or political, religious or other opinions, including use of the [hall] for meetings, lectures and classes or other 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”.