Horley does not have a dedicated village hall and the Old School Hall is the de facto village community centre.  It is owned and run by The Michael Hardinge Trust.

It is located at the back of the church and  is reached via the footpath across the churchyard or by a footpath from Little Lane.

Many village events are held here and various groups meet regularly including  Playgroup , Yoga Knit and Stitch and Cinema Club.

Configuration and Facilities

The building consists of a small room which is used as a small meeting room and could seat 15 – 20 people depending on the configuration of the seating.  This room can be divided from the larger room by a soundproofed door and it is possible to have two concurrent events in the building or to turn the two rooms into one larger ‘L’ shaped room. The larger room can seat at tables about 45-50 people for a formal meal, It also supports a stage, stage lighting and sound, built in video projection with surround sound.  It has basic kitchen area, toilets and a cloakroom area and a large store room upstairs.  When the weather is fine, it is possible to utilise the outside area which is partly tarmac with the erection of a marquee. The toilet area is designed to accommodate junior school children from Banbury who use the premises as a field study centre during the week.

Cost

The current cost of hiring the facility  is £10 per hour (or part thereof) during the winter months October to March and £7.50 and hour at other time.

The Trustees retain the option of refusing to hire the premises for any purpose that they consider will disrupt the peaceful nature of the village or disturb the nearby residents.  Also there may be an issue of personal insurance for any activity which our insurers consider would not be covered by our Public Liability Insurance.

The premises can be used free of charge in furtherance of their education by children from the village, for instance in the past it has been used for drama studies, musical rehearsals and educational lectures.  The tables and chairs (Folding chairs only) can be hired for use off the premises, there is no set list of charges but the Trustees ask for a commensurate donation for such use.

Currently if you wish to make use of any of these facilities please contact Mike Patching on 01295730039 or email mike.patching@btinternet.com.

All hirers are asked to leave the premises in as clean and tidy state as they’d wish to find.